New Mexico Governor: $1 Million Fundraising Quarter for Denish

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Democratic Lt. Gov. Diane Denish does not have a primary opponent in New Mexico's 2010 governor's race and her fundraising shows how determined she is to keep it that way.

Denish laid down a marker Tuesday, announcing $1 million added to her campaign coffers for the second quarter and $2.2 million in the bank.

The campaign noted that "more than two-thirds of those contributions (68%) were for $100 or less," which it said showed "strong grassroots strength across the state."

Denish also announced last week that her campaign had already succeeded in collecting nearly three times the 2,163 petition signatures required to qualify for the 2010 ballot.

Denish has made no secret of her desire to succeed Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson, who is term-limited next year, and is the favorite for the party's nomination. Senate majority Leader Michael Sánchez is also exploring the race, but Denish's early campaign strength could create an effective deterrent.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/eyeon2010/2009/10/new-mexico-governor-1-million.html