Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona crushing Republican field in fundraising

PHOENIX – Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly entered this election year with a larger war chest than Arizona’s five Republican hopefuls combined, according to fourth-quarter Federal Election Commission reports.

The incumbent racked up nearly $9 million in contributions over the last three months of 2021 – his second consecutive quarter with more than $8 million – and had more than $18.6 million cash on hand. Kelly’s campaign spent about $3.3 million from October through December and doesn’t have to worry about a primary contest.

The entire Republican field, meanwhile, entered 2022 with under $9 million cash on hand.

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has been the top-polling GOP Senate candidate, but he trails two political newcomers in the money race.

Deep-pocketed businessman Jim Lamon reported the most cash on hand among Republicans at nearly $6 million after adding about $3.2 million last quarter, although his campaign has been largely self-funded.

Of the $8.5 million he’s piled up since entering the race, $8 has come out of his own pocket, including a $3 million loan in the most recent filing. Lamon’s campaign spent under $900,000 last quarter.

Venture capitalist Blake Masters took in more than $1.5 million and spent about $600,000 last quarter, leaving him with over $1.8 million cash on hand.

Masters also has the backing of Saving Arizona PAC, a super PAC funded by his billionaire associate Peter Thiel. About $6.6 million of the Thiel’s $10 million contribution was still unspent heading into 2022.

Brnovich may have a name recognition advantage, but he’s only third in the Republican funding chase. He spent more than two-thirds of the approximately $811,000 he took in last quarter, leaving him with close to $770,000 cash on hand.

Mick McGuire, a retired Air Force major general and former leader of the Arizona National Guard, was the only candidate to see his war chest shrink in the fourth quarter. He took in about $270,000 while spending $360,000, leaving him with about $225,000 cash on hand.

Arizona Corporation Commissioner Justin Olson, a latecomer to the GOP race, made his first FEC filing. He reported raising approximately $225,000 and spending about $33,000 in the fourth quarter, leaving him with over $191,000 cash on hand.

Brnovich was the top choice among 25% of the Republican voters surveyed in a recent poll by OH Predictive Insights, with McGuire, at 11%, the only other candidate in double digits. However, 47% were still undecided.

The poll also showed Kelly with a 42%-38% lead when matched up against a generic Republican candidate.

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