UPDATED: Funding the races

So, Cedillo’s people were the first to send out a press release stating how much has been raised so far in fundraising. He’s at $568,000.

Then, Emanuel Pleitez announced that he has raised $152,777.

And that latest to send her information was Judy Chu, who raised $770,167.

Here’s some of Chu’s press release:

The breadth and strength of Judy Chu’s campaign for Congress was demonstrated again today as candidates reported their first fundraising numbers for this May 19 special election.

In the first three months of 2009, Judy Chu collected an impressive $770,167, over $200,000 more than her nearest rival, State Senator Gil Cedillo.

Judy Chu, Vice-Chair of the California State Board of Equalization, reported a strong $577,609 cash-on-hand figure at the end of the period.

From Pleitez’s press release:

LOS ANGELES – Today the Emanuel Pleitez Campaign for Congress announced that it has raised $152,777 in campaign contributions through the first quarter of 2009. That surprisingly large figure, coupled with a ground force of 25 full-time volunteers engaged in technology, finance, communications and grassroots outreach efforts, places the 32nd District candidate squarely in the middle of a three-way race for the vacant Congressional seat.

“Our field and fundraising efforts have exceeded expectations, and we have proven that we are contenders in this race,” said Pleitez. “But the financial reports only tell part of the story of my campaign. We’ve got 25 full-time volunteers who are donating their time to this effort, and it’s impossible to calculate their value. Not only are they giving us their expertise, they’re also contributing their enthusiasm for the political process and their determination to bring new leadership to the 32nd District.”

“I’ve heard from countless voters that they are tired of politics as usual, and they are ready for new leadership. We have the most robust team on the ground talking to voters every day, and that’s what is going to secure our victory in this campaign,” Pleitez said.

And here’s a portion of Cedillo’s press release:

State Senator Gil Cedillo today reported having raised $568,000 in the first quarter of 2009, with over $441,000 cash on hand.  Cedillo officially entered the race for the vacant 32nd Congressional District in late January, giving him just over two months to raise money prior to the first fundraising disclosure deadline.  The FEC quarter one deadline was on Tuesday, March 31st and the reports are made public today.

 

The Cedillo campaign has publicly stated an ambitious goal of raising $750,000 prior to the May 19th Special Primary Election.  The strong quarter one fundraising numbers mean the campaign has already raised 75% of the desired budget.