New Mexico Dem governor nominee Haaland’s fundraising advantage grows heading into Election Day

New Mexico Democratic gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland continued her fundraising dominance over Republican opponent Gregg Hull with fewer than three weeks until the Nov. 3 general election, new campaign reports show.

In the most recent campaign finance period, which captures fundraising activity between Sept. 8 and Oct. 5, Haaland received roughly $1.9 million from a little more than 34,000 donations, according to New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office records candidates were required to submit Tuesday. That amounts to an average donation of roughly $55. 

Hull received about $634,000 from 1,400 donations — averaging to roughly $450 per donation.

The Democrat, a former U.S. congresswoman and the nation’s first-ever Indigenous cabinet secretary during Joe Biden’s presidency, has drawn on her national profile to outraise both her primary and general election opponents by large margins. 

In total, Haaland has raised nearly $20 million across the primary and general elections, including more than $6.4 million during the general election, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

Hull, a former Rio Rancho mayor, has raised approximately $1.5 million this general election, though his campaign has stressed that the vast majority of his donors come from New Mexico, unlike the donors to Haaland’s campaign. 

Ryan Saylor, Hull’s campaign manager, stressed that difference Wednesday in an interview with Source NM. 

“We’re happy with where we are,” Saylor said. “We’re getting a ton of grassroots support from people all across New Mexico.”

The new campaign filings show that 99% of Hull’s donors come from New Mexico. In contrast, just 17% of Haaland’s donors are state residents. A little more than 6,000 donations came from donors with California addresses, according to a Source NM review, compared with fewer than 5,900 donations from New Mexico residents. 

Hannah Menchoff, a spokesperson for Haaland’s campaign, noted in an emailed statement to Source NM that Haaland’s average contribution is far lower than Hull’s, which she said is an indication of her widespread support from typical voters, not corporations or wealthy interests.

“I know firsthand how hard people work to earn every paycheck, and I am deeply grateful for everyone that shares my vision for New Mexico,” Haaland said in a statement. 

The filings show that both candidates are spending their donations about as quickly as they are receiving them, with expenditures going primarily to digital and television advertisements.

Haaland has spent more than $2.5 million over the most-recent reporting period, leaving her with a little over $2.8 million in cash on hand heading into the election. Haaland’s newly reported campaign expenditures included multiple purchases of more than $300,000 to Sage Media, a Washington, D.C.-based firm that specializes in progressive campaign advertising. 

Hull spent all but about $13,000 of the roughly $634,000 he raised this period. Most of that money has gone to Red Surge Strategies, an advertising firm that boasts “demonstrated adeptness in navigating the intricate terrain of right-wing politics.” Hull has about $520,000 remaining, records show. 

The public will have one more glimpse into fundraising activity before the Nov. 3 general election with another round of filings on Oct. 29.