Candidates, SuperPACS Report Campaign Spending In Arizona's 8th Congressional District

By Bret Jaspers
Published: Friday, February 16, 2018 - 10:17am
Updated: Friday, February 16, 2018 - 11:45am

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Debbie Lesko
(Photo by Bret Jaspers - KJZZ)
Former state Sen. Debbie Lesko.

The most recent financial reports are out in the the special election in Arizona's 8th Congressional district.

New financial reports show former State Sen. Steve Montenegro has raised the most money so far among Republicans in the special election to replace Trent Franks in Congress.

Montenegro has raised more than $230,000 and spent about $130,000.

The person closest to him on the Republican side is another former state Sen., Debbie Lesko. She’s raised almost $200,000, $25,000 of which was a loan she made to her campaign. She’s spent just under $100,000.

Outside groups have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the race. That’s SuperPAC money spent to support or oppose Montenegro and Lesko.

As of the most recent report, former state Rep. Phil Lovas has raised about $160,000. Forty thousand of that was a loan he made to the campaign. He’s spent almost $10,000.

On the Democratic side, physician Hiral Tipirneni has far outraised and outspent her rival, activist Brianna Westbrook.

Tipirneni has raised about $250,000, which includes a $70,000 loan she made. Her spending was about $140,000.

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Candidates, SuperPACS Report Campaign Spending In AZ08