Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

With assist from Sanders, Flores makes massive fundraising haul

More Bernie Sanders Rally at Bonanza

Steve Marcus

Congressional candidate Lucy Flores speaks during a rally for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT) at Bonanza High School Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016. Nevada Democratic caucuses are Saturday, Feb. 20.

Nevada congressional candidate Lucy Flores reported today that her campaign had raised $428,000 since the beginning of April, in the wake of a fundraising solicitation sent out by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on her behalf last week.

Flores, a former Nevada assemblywoman who's seeking the 4th Congressional District seat, reported that the funds came from 32,628 separate contributions, and all but 82 of those were for $200 or less. Her April fundraising numbers total more than what her two primary opponents raised during the first three months of the year combined.

Flores is locked in a three-way Democratic primary battle against fellow state Sen. Ruben Kihuen and philanthropist Susie Lee. The eventual Democratic nominee will go on to challenge incumbent Republican Rep. Cresent Hardy in the majority Democratic district.

“While my opponents spend their time soliciting big-dollar contributions, I’m the candidate in touch with the struggles of working-class families,” Flores said in a statement.

Having couched herself as the most progressive candidate in the race, Flores endorsed Sanders ahead of the Nevada Democratic caucuses. He returned the favor through the small-dollar fundraising pitch email.

“So I want to support Lucy like she’s supported us, because we stand together. And I am asking you to join me,” Sanders said in the email. “Split a $2.70 contribution between our campaign and Lucy Flores today and send a powerful message that we are going to win this primary AND elect a Congress with our political revolution.”

Comparatively, Lee reported raising $8,000 in the first two weeks of April, while Kihuen raised about $16,000. The candidates all agreed at a Democratic congressional debate last week to release their fundraising numbers on a weekly basis.

The numbers come as a significant boon for Flores, who reported raising $143,000 in the first three months of the year and ended March with about $159,000 in the bank.

Lee raked in the most money, $230,000 — including $50,000 in loans and $17,600 in campaign expenses she personally paid for — and has about $642,000 in the bank.

Kihuen, meanwhile, brought in the most in contributions, $191,000, with no personal loans or contributions, and ended the quarter with $424,000 on hand.

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