Shafroth leads CD-2 candidates in 1Q fundraising; Fitz-Gerald nets about $257K

Will ShafrothWith the first-quarter fundraising numbers in, the richest campaign in the CD-2 race is - Will Shafroth.

Shafroth outraised his two primary opponents in the first quarter of 2008, taking in $279,810 from 446 donors. He also reported the most cash-on-hand of any CD-2 candidate, with $682,091 in the bank.

"The story here is that we've raised more and we've spent less -- and we're doing it without an avalanche of special interest money or limitless self-funding," said Shafroth in a press release. "We're doing it the right way, with individual contributors who want an honest change from the politics as usual."

CD-2 Democratic candidate Joan Fitz-Gerald reported raising $257,543 in the first quarter of 2008 from 1,473 donors. Her campaign reported having just under $600,000 cash-on-hand.

"We are grateful that nearly 1,500 people contributed to our campaign because it shows broad support growing for Joan coming out of the county assemblies," said Fitz-Gerald manager Mary Alice Mandarich in a press release. "We have built a precinct by precinct ground organization through the caucus process and we are exactly on target for having the resources to be successful for the primary on August 12th."

A spokesperson for Jared Polis, the third CD-2 Democratic candidate, did not return and e-mail nor a phone call seeking comment Tuesday afternoon.

Polis reported raising $160,910 from outside donors for 1Q 2008. ColoradoPols reported he had $322,139 cash-on-hand at the end of the quarter.