Finance reports reveal health of Nevada House campaigns

By Michelle Rindels, Associated Press

Friday, Oct. 16, 2015 | 12:25 p.m.

CARSON CITY — The state of play in Nevada's four congressional races is coming into sharper focus after candidates filed quarterly financial reports this week with the Federal Election Commission. Here's a look at who's ahead in the campaign money game:

4TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Philanthropist Susie Lee has pulled ahead in fundraising in the four-way Democratic primary to challenge freshman Republican Nevada Rep. Cresent Hardy.

Lee reported this week that she'd raised more than $334,000 in the quarter ending Sept. 30, and has nearly $573,000 in cash available. That puts her ahead of incumbent Hardy, who raised $187,000 this quarter and has $555,000 in cash to defend his seat.

"For the second straight quarter, education advocate Susie Lee substantially outraised her primary opponents," her campaign said in an email. "Lee has clearly established herself as the Democratic candidate best positioned to take on Hardy in November."

Her money lead comes in spite of the fact that the endorsement of the state's most powerful Democrat, Sen. Harry Reid, went to her primary opponent Ruben Kihuen. The state senator reported raising $150,000 in the quarter and has $299,000 cash on hand.

Former Assembly Speaker John Oceguera raised $181,000 this quarter, counting a $50,000 loan he made to himself, and has $146,000 cash on hand.

Last in the fundraising game was former state Assemblywoman Lucy Flores, who lost the race for lieutenant governor last fall. She reported raising $75,000 this quarter and said she has about $74,000 available cash.

The 4th Congressional District includes North Las Vegas and rural central Nevada, leans Democratic and is considered prime for Democrats to reclaim during a presidential election year.

3RD CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Nevada's highest-ranking legislator raised more than three other Republicans who are seeking to replace Rep. Joe Heck, a three-term congressman who's now running for U.S. Senate.

Republican State Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson reported raising $444,000 in the quarter that ended Sept. 30, and has $420,000 in available cash. He also has the backing of Gov. Brian Sandoval, Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison and Sen. Dean Heller.

"Support has been overwhelming and I'm grateful for your enthusiasm igniting our effort to fight for Nevada and change Washington," Roberson wrote in a message on his campaign website.

Second in the fundraising race was Danny Tarkanian, a frequent candidate and the son of the late UNLV basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian. His campaign said he raised $357,000 this past quarter, and has $334,000 in cash.

Andy Matthews, the former president of conservative think tank Nevada Policy Research Institute, reported raising $136,000 this quarter and has $108,000 cash on hand.

Dr. Annette Teijeiro, who last year lost a bid for Congress against Democratic Rep. Dina Titus, raised $11,000 this quarter, and has about $1,500 in available cash.

The 3rd Congressional District includes Henderson and Summerlin. It's considered a swing district but has recently favored Republicans, and several potential high-profile Democratic contenders have declined to jump in the race.

Political newcomer and lawyer Jesse Sbaih is one of two Democrats who have announced campaigns. Sbaih raised $300,000 this quarter, mostly in loans to himself, and has $286,000 in cash for the race.

Democratic candidate Barry Michaels, who notes prominently on his campaign website that he spent 15 months in a federal prison camp, has announced his intention to run but didn't file a campaign finance disclosure report.

2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Incumbent Republican Rep. Mark Amodei reported raising $113,000 this past quarter, and said he has $314,000 available cash. No other candidates have announced a bid for the heavily Republican, northern Nevada district.

1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Incumbent Democratic Rep. Dina Titus reported raising $106,000 for the quarter ending Sept. 30, and has $221,000 cash on hand for her re-election bid. She's highly favored to win the deeply Democratic district in Las Vegas.

Her Republican opponent, Mary Perry, reported no contributions and just $139 in available cash at the end of the quarter.

U.S. SENATE

Democratic former Nevada Attorney General raised nearly $1.4 million last quarter, including $450,000 from Nevada donors, according to her campaign. A detailed report of her finances was not immediately available Friday.

Republican Rep. Joe Heck's campaign did not immediately respond to inquiries Thursday and Friday about his campaign fundraising.

The Senate race, which will determine who replaces retiring Democratic Sen. Harry Reid, is considered one of the most competitive in the country.