McSally campaign showered with GOP cash

Republicans are seeking to solidify their hold on an Arizona swing seat by pouring cash into U.S. Rep. Martha McSally's re-election campaign, the latest fundraising reports show.

Donors bankrolled more than $640,000 for the Tucson freshman's war chest in the first three months since McSally took office. The haul dwarfs the first-quarter fundraising of any Arizona candidate for the U.S. House in recent memory.

McSally could face one of the toughest – and most expensive -- re-election campaigns in the country in 2016.

She unseated then-Rep. Ron Barber, D-Ariz., last year by only 167 votes after a recount. Spending reached as high as $20 million in the 2nd Congressional District race.

Political strategists say McSally could have a harder time winning next year. The 2016 presidential race, with Hillary Clinton likely on the ticket, is expected to draw greater Democratic turnout than the midterms, which were devastating for the party.

But Democrats have struggled to find a challenger for McSally. Barber announced Sunday that he would not seek a rematch. State Rep. Bruce Wheeler, D-Tucson, is exploring a run, and other candidates have been floated as possibilities.

McSally's latest fundraising is more than double what Barber had raised at the same point in his first full term. The Federal Election Commission reports show McSally has about $820,000 on hand, though almost $100,000 is owed as debt.

McSally's campaign said she has a commanding position against any challenger.

"The incredible support Martha is seeing after being in office only a few months is an unmistakable sign of approval for the energetic representation she brings to southern Arizona," campaign spokesman Patrick Ptak said in a statement.

He said voters like her "independent leadership" on issues such as border security and her work to spare the A-10 jet from Pentagon cuts. The A-10 Thunderbolt II fighters are based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson. Barber also took votes across the aisle on border security and sought to save the A-10.

But Democrats say the tailwinds of last election that boosted McSally over the finish line won't be there this year.

"She's going to need every dollar she can get in a much tougher electoral climate," Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesman Matt Thornton said. "Since going to Washington, she has refused to state her position on tough issues, avoided her constituents, and shunned the press. … McSally is just another rubber stamp for the extreme Republican agenda."

Democrats have reason for confidence in two other Arizona swing House seats.

Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., who represents parts of Phoenix and the East Valley in the 9th Congressional District, raised the second largest amount for the quarter. She took in nearly $450,000.

After winning her seat twice decisively and holding about $580,000 in the bank, Republicans appear to be leaving her alone. No challenger has been rumored so far.

However that could change if Republicans get a boost from a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. A ruling by the end of June could give the GOP-led Legislature the power to redraw the congressional map ahead of 2016, potentially adding more Republican voters to Sinema's district.

As one of the state's few Democratic rising stars, she is considered a top target for Republicans.

In the northern Arizona swing seat, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., raised more than $310,000 and has nearly as much on hand.

Rancher Gary Kiehne is the one Republican in the race for Kirkpatrick's 1st Congressional District so far. He reported about $70,000 raised, and slightly less on hand, with roughly $20,000 coming from his own pocket.

It's not enough right now to mount a formidable challenge, but Kiehne poured hundreds of thousands of his own money into the race last time and came close to winning the GOP nomination.

Arizona's remaining incumbents, who are in safe districts with no significant challengers so far, raised smaller amounts.

On the Democratic side, Rep. Ruben Gallego, a Phoenix freshman, raised about $115,000, a fairly healthy amount as he pledges to improve the dismal voter turnout in his district and help other Democrats win. His senior colleague, Tucson Rep. Raul Grijalva, took in about $40,000.

As for Republicans, Rep. Matt Salmon, of Mesa, who has been talked about as a potential primary challenger to Sen. John McCain, rounded up nearly $75,000, while Rep. David Schweikert, of Fountain Hills, collected more than $55,000.

Bringing up the rear, Rep. Paul Gosar, of Prescott, raised about $45,000 and Rep. Trent Franks, of Glendale, took in nearly $30,000.