Donations flowing into Senate candidate campaign coffers could surpass the estimated $20 million spent in Congressional District 2 in 2014.
Arizona’s senior senator, John McCain, raised nearly $5.6 million last year, far outpacing the 10 men and women challenging him for his seat, Federal Election Commission reports show.
More than $4 million came in from individual donations, while another $1 million flowed into the campaign from political action committees.
The campaign spent about $2.5 million last year, leaving more than $5.1 million left in the war chest to spend on re-election.
McCain’s closest rival, at least regarding campaign donations, is Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, who currently represents Congressional District 1.
The Flagstaff Democrat raised nearly $1.8 million last year, with $1.4 million coming from individual donations. Kirkpatrick also received about $200,000 from political action committees.
Criss-crossing the state cost her campaign $1 million last year, leaving her with $856,755 cash on hand.
Politico reports that former state Sen. Kelli Ward, a Republican, raised roughly $660,000 last year and had $250,000 cash on hand. Those figures could not be independently verified and were not available from the FEC.
The only other Republican to report campaign spending to the FEC was businessman Alex Meluskey.
He raised $356,512 in donations last year, although a lion’s share of funds came from his own pocket. FEC documents state the candidate poured $278,772 into his campaign.
Meluskey spent almost all of the money that came in last year’s campaign, reporting only $3,681 cash on hand.
The only other person to file with the FEC in the race was a political independent named Patrick Thomas Quinn.
He reported raising $5,500 in donations from individuals and put another $5,000 in of his money to fuel his campaign.
