Pearce banking donations as Dems fight for nomination

Republican Congressman Steve Pearce has widened the financial gap between himself and his potential competitors in the race for governor.

The latest campaign finance reports filed Thursday show Pearce spent about $106,000 between May 8 and May 29, as Democrats ramped up spending for the days heading into a competitive primary election on June 5. The candidates have launched a flurry of television advertising. And U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s campaign has a taken on several staff members around the state.

Pearce, meanwhile, does not face any opponent in the Republican primary, giving him a financial leg up for the general election.

From campaign finance reports for candidates for governor covering the period of May 8-29:

Jeff Apodaca

Raised $75,566

Spent $256,730

Loaned himself $12,500

Still has $82,408 on hand

Joseph Cervantes

Raised $10,660

Spent $572,938

Still has $1,080,940 on hand

(He has loaned himself more than $2 million throughout the campaign.)

Michelle Lujan Grisham

Raised $216,063

Spent $719,441

Still has $1,092,093 on hand

Steve Pearce

Raised $111,912

Spent $106,311

Still has $1,946,740 on hand