Gibbons top fundraiser in campaign reports; Titus close behind

As expected, Republican gubernatorial candidate Jim Gibbons is the biggest money raiser in Nevada this campaign season, pulling in just over $3 million this year and a total of $5.7 million when his 2005 contributions are included.

His Democratic opponent Dina Titus reports raising about $3.4 million this year.

Titus, who surprised many by making it a much tighter contest than expected, has recently drawn more attention from contributors and, in fact, has matched Gibbons in funds raised since early August at $1.5 million.

Clark County District Judge Nancy Saitta has spent $445,378 of $489,431 in contributions attempting to become the first candidate to unseat an incumbent Supreme Court Justice in some 20 years. Justice Nancy Becker has spent just $316,912 of her $504,677.

In the race to replace Jill Derby for the Board of Regents seat representing western Nevada, David Fulstone of Yerington and Ron Knecht of Carson City both showed contributions of more than $40,000.

But nearly all of Knecht's money came from his own bank account.

Knecht has spent just $27,526 of his $43,000 thus far. Fulstone spent $47,992 of the $48,815 in his war chest.

Incumbent Republican Assemblyman Tom Grady of Yerington raised nearly triple that of his opponent, Democrat Cathylee James of Virginia City. Grady has spent $35,540 of his $65,989 in contributions to reclaim Assembly District 38. James has spent $19,040 of her $23,086 to try to unseat him.

In Storey County, clerk candidate Lorraine DuFresne reported no contributions but expenses totaling $1,035. District Attorney Candidate Harold Swafford reported $1,299 in contributions and $2,669 in expenses.

The reports were officially due Tuesday but, as long as they are placed in certified mail by 5 p.m. on the due date, there is no late penalty.

The secretary of state's office expects them to continue trickling in through the end of the week.

But candidates who refuse to report what they collect and spend face up to $5,000 per report in penalties.

Civil suits were filed this past week in Carson District Court demanding fines against three southern Nevada candidates who didn't file reports during the 2004 campaign.

• Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.