The second quarter of 2008 has come to a close and former state representative Ann Kirkpatrick has far exceeded expectations, reporting a record amount of funds raised. Kirkpatrick, the leading contender for the Democratic nomination to represent Arizona's 1st Congressional District, brought in $327,953 between April 1st and June 30th, from almost 1,200 contributors, giving her campaign $669,156 cash on hand. The quarter was the most successful yet for Kirkpatrick's campaign.
Since Kirkpatrick announced her candidacy last July, her campaign has raised a total of $988,511 from 2,955 individual donors.
Democrats from across District 1 have lined up behind Kirkpatrick, whose lifetime of effective service to the people of Arizona has given her the commitment & experience to change the way that Washington operates.
"Arizonans want leaders who will work to ensure that their needs are met, instead of looking after their own well being and caving to special interests. Our record fundraising efforts coupled with our strong grassroots support show that they know Ann is the leader they are looking for," said campaign adviser Michael Frias. "We are going to keep gaining momentum. Along with the organization we have built throughout the district, these record fundraising totals position us well to keep winning new supporters for Ann through the primary and right up to Election Day in November."
Kirkpatrick's financial success comes at the end of a quarter in which she made significant progress on the road to changing Washington. On the heels of the endorsement of former Navajo Nation president Dr. Peterson Zah in March, Kirkpatrick was endorsed by Governor Janet Napolitano, the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), became a part of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's Red to Blue Program, and won the support of local leaders like Prescott Mayor Jack Wilson, confirming her as the frontrunner to succeed retiring Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Flagstaff). Kirkpatrick's campaign also expanded their operations by opening a new office in Casa Grande last month. They will host the official grand opening celebration for their Casa Grande headquarters on July 19th. The campaign will also be holding its district-wide Day of Action on July 19th, with 15 events happening simultaneously across the state.