Bono Mack leads pack in funds raised

Rep. Mary Bono Mack raised more than $340,000 in the latest fundraising quarter, far outpacing her Democratic challenger and indicating the 2010 race is shaping up to be a pricey one.

Campaign finance reports filed Thursday reflect contributions and expenditures from July 1 to Sept. 30.

The reports show the Palm Springs Republican incumbent out-raised Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet by about $140,000. He reported raising $200,815. A third candidate who entered the race earlier this month — Republican Clayton Thibodeau of Hemet — did not have to file a report.

Thursday’s report is also the first filing since Bono Mack was added to the National Republican Congressional Committee’s fundraising program for targeted candidates, which is designed to attract donors nationwide.

Her campaign manager, Ryan Mahoney, said the national interest didn’t really kick in until near the end of the reporting period and credited their fundraising effort to local support and momentum.

“We’re very encouraged by the generosity of our supporters,” Mahoney said. “It is very difficult in this economy to raise funds, especially in the desert when it was the off-season. We really look forward to continuing good campaigning and good fundraising at the same time.”

Bono Mack reported $343,396 in contributions from July 1 to Sept. 30.

About two-thirds of the total — $226,347 — came via individual contributions. The rest came from groups such as political action committees.

Bono Mack reported $76,008 in operating expenses this quarter, leaving her with $716,020 cash on hand at the end of the period.

Pougnet’s report indicated that last quarter’s $200,000-plus filing could be the beginning of a trend.

He raised $200,815 during the three-month period. Of that amount, $184,815 came in individuals contributions and the remainder came from political committees.

He reported $56,998 in operating expenses the quarter, leaving him with $347,241 cash on hand.

In a statement, Pougnet said “our momentum is building.

“We’ve raised more than any other challenger has raised in an off year,” his campaign manager, Jordan Marks said.

“We’ll have the resources we need to compete.”

The 45th District race is one of the most closely watched local races for 2010, and it is shaping up to be far more costly than the previous two cycles.

Bono Mack raised and spent about $1.5 million in the 2006 race and nearly $1.8 million in 2008. That’s more than the average House member raised in both cycles, according to OpenSecrets.org.

By comparison, her Democratic challengers raised and spent about $720,000 and nearly $490,000 respectively.
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