Cash rolls in for U.S. Senate hopefuls

KRQE TV

Updated: Jul 14, 2012 5:19 PM

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) — Martin Heinrich is up on Heather Wilson in recent polls in the U.S. Senate race, but Wilson is ahead in the money race.

Wilson, the Republican nominee, picked up $1.6 million in donations in April, May and June.

That's $200,000 more than Democrat Heinrich although Heinrich still has more in the bank than his opponent.

The two have already spent more than $4.5 on the race, and with a four month ad blitz still to come, this could turn into the most expensive contest in New Mexico history.

On Saturday both candidates announced they had accepted invitations to appear in televised candidate debates in Albuquerque including one in the KRQE News 13 studios on Oct 11.  Heinrich also said he'd join a debate in Las Cruces to be broadcast by an KFOX-TV in El Paso on a date still to be determined in late October.

A Wilson spokesman later released a statement saying she was waiting for details on the date and format of the Las Cruces debate.

Wilson formerly represented New Mexico's First Congressional District in the U.S. House but gave up the seat in an unsuccessful run to replace retiring Sen. Pete Domenic four years ago.

Heinrich is a former Albuquerque city councilor and current occupant of the First District seat in Congress.

Both are hoping to replace Sen. Jeff Bingaman, who is retiring at the end of his term.
 

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