The Morning Report
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Republican Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher says he raised “well over $300,000” in the first month of campaigning to be San Diego’s next mayor.
That far exceeds the campaign’s stated goal of raising $100,000 in June.
The $300,000 doesn’t include any loans, transfers from any other campaign accounts or personal contributions, said Amy Thoma, Fletcher’s campaign spokeswoman. Three-quarters of the donors were from San Diego County, she added, and all the money is for the June primary.
Fletcher’s numbers aren’t yet official. Donors can give $500 per candidate per election.
Thoma declined to release anything further about the figure, saying the campaign was still finalizing the numbers. She said Fletcher planned to file his actual report at the end of the month. The totals are due by Aug. 1.
Campaign watchers have estimated the race through the June 2012 primary would cost each candidate at least $1 million.
Fletcher is the first of the four major candidates to release anything about his donations, which was considered the first big test in the mayor’s race. Candidates had just over three weeks to raise money between the start of official campaigning and the June 30 public disclosure period.
The fundraising totals are especially important for Fletcher, who is considered the least well known of any of the major candidates. Democrat Bob Filner has served in Congress for 18 years, Republican Carl DeMaio has been a city councilman for almost three years and regularly appears on local television and radio and Republican Bonnie Dumanis has served as district attorney since 2003.
“I think it shows that Nathan is in this,” Thoma said.
Fletcher so far has attracted interest from groups all over the political spectrum. He’ll likely alienate some of those potential supporters once he takes positions on key issues, such as a ballot measure that would replace guaranteed pensions with 401(k)s for most new city workers.
Here’s a link to the letter Fletcher sent his donors.
Update: Fletcher’s numbers are generating quite a reaction on Twitter:
Labor leader Lorena Gonzalez: “Holy Crap.”
Republican blogger and activist Barry Jantz: “Shining star for you to see, what fundraising can truly be.”
Republican consultant Erica Holloway: “That’s 600 people maxing out! Wow.”
Rostra has a more complete rundown of the Twitter reaction.
Please contact Liam Dillon directly at liam.dillon@voiceofsandiego.org or 619.550.5663 and follow him on Twitter: twitter.com/dillonliam.