State Rep. Ruben Gallego, an Arizona Democrat, said he’s unsure how much money he’ll need to succeed retiring Rep. Ed Pastor, D-Ariz., in the 7th District, according to an interview with CQ Roll Call.
“It’s hard to say,” Gallego said. “It’s not going to be a cheap race. This is a five month race.”
The Democrat is running in a crowded Aug. 26 primary in this Hispanic-majority district based in Phoenix
.
The Democratic nominee is expected to win the general election in this strong Democratic district.
Gallego’s most formidable opponent is former Maricopa County Board Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, a longtime local official backed by Pastor and EMILY’s List.
Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva, D-Ariz., has endorsed Gallego, along with many local labor unions and VoteVets.
Gallego said that VoteVets, with whom he has worked in the past, has “made it very clear that I’m one of their top priorities this year.” The group spent a little more than $3 million on behalf of Democratic candidates in 2012.
In his first-quarter fundraising report, Gallego reported $155,500 in cash on hand — more than Wilcox’s $87,333 in the bank.
Explaining his fundraising optimism, Gallego cited his past experience.
“Whatever [the amount] is I have the experience in fundraising, and I’m going to do it,” Gallego said.
Arizona’s 7th District is rated
Safe Democrat
by the Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.
The candidate’s team:
Josh Ulibarri of Lake Research Partners (polling); Eric Adelstein of Adelstein Liston (media); Andy Barr (communications); Lisa Fernandez (finance); Aaron Cohen (National Fundraising); Edward Chapman of Spiros Consulting (research); Chris Cooper of Convergence Targeted (direct mail); Ruben Alonzo (campaign manager).
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