SANTA FE, N.M. — Campaign fundraising is off to a fast start in the battle between incumbent U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and lone Republican candidate Nella Domenici, according to figures announced Friday by the New Mexico candidates.
Domenici’s campaign said it raised more than $1.25 million between January and the end of March. That includes a $500,000 contribution from the Republican businesswoman-turned-candidate herself, along with donations from at least 1,100 people, the campaign confirmed in an email.
According to Heinrich’s campaign, the second-term senator has raised more than $1.5 million from more than 7,600 donors during the same period. Heinrich’s campaign had about $3.5 million in cash on hand at the end of 2023. Detailed documents from the Federal Election Commission were not yet available Friday.
Domenici, the daughter of longtime U.S. Sen. Pete V. Domenici, announced her candidacy in January and has called for new approaches to border enforcement, natural resource development and public education.
Republicans hope to regain their political footing this year in New Mexico, where Democrats hold every congressional seat and every statewide elected office. President Joe Biden won New Mexico by 11 percentage points, or about 100,000 votes.
Heinrich won reelection in 2018 with about 54% of the vote in a three-way race against Republican Mick Rich and Libertarian candidate and former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson.
Former Bernalillo County Sheriff Manny Gonzales III initially registered to seek the Republican Senate nomination ahead of New Mexico’s June 4 primary, but failed to collect enough petition signatures to qualify.
Democrats have a weak 51-49 majority in the Senate, but will defend more seats than Republicans in the November elections.