Hutchison far ahead in lt. governor fundraising

LAS VEGAS — Republican lieutenant governor candidate Mark Hutchison has pulled way ahead of Lucy Flores in fundraising, raking in nearly four times as much money as his Democratic opponent.

Campaign-finance disclosures filed with the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office by a Tuesday deadline showed Hutchison had raised $2.4 million so far, including more than $1 million since June. Flores has raised about $654,000 since she declared her candidacy, including about $305,000 since June.

“We always knew that we would be outspent,” Flores said in a statement Wednesday. “But we also knew that we have the real momentum in this race. Our focus on everyday Nevadans ... is the reason that there is still a race.”

Hutchison, a lawyer and state senator, is endorsed by Gov. Brian Sandoval and has blanketed airwaves with TV commercials that prominently feature the popular governor. Flores is a Nevada assemblywoman backed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. She has run fewer TV ads, but she has garnered national press with her story of leaving a gang during her youth and earning a law degree.

The race, which is normally low-key, is significant this cycle because the winner would replace Sandoval if he’s re-elected, then leaves the office in 2016 to run for another post.

Sandoval, who is expected to cruise to re-election in November, has raised $3.7 million in the past two years.

Reports show he’s spent more than $1.7 million since June on his campaign, which has included billboards and positive TV commercials highlighting Nevada’s economic recovery.

His little-known Democratic opponent, Bob Goodman, has raised just $7,000.

In the heated race to replace termed-out Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, Democrat Ross Miller has out-raised his Republican opponent, Adam Laxalt.

Miller, who’s in his second term as secretary of state, has raised $2.1 million so far. Laxalt has pulled in $1.2 million.

Their contest is playing out in dueling TV commercials, including ads that highlight a scathing job-performance evaluation of Laxalt and ones that pan Miller for accepting gifts while in office.