Elway, Anschutz, Gill and Stryker Among Big Donors

Republicans and Democrats jostling for their parties’ presidential nominations have reaped $2.9 million in donations from Coloradans. That includes nearly $1 million for Democrat Barack Obama and $500,000 for Republican Mitt Romney.

Democrats have had the most success, raising $1.62 million to date, compared with $1.24 million for GOP candidates, according to federal campaign reports filed this week.

Obama’s $928,555 in overall donations from Colorado is tops among all candidates. It includes $363,631 in the quarter ended June 30.
Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who visited Colorado Wednesday, is second overall and first among Republicans with $495,408.

But Republican Rudy Giuliani has been gaining steam. The former New York mayor has raised $272,861 in Colorado so far, including $174,510 in the past three months. Romney collected $144,083 in the past three months.

Giuliani contributors include Broncos Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway, former Denver Nuggets player and general manager Kiki Vandeweghe and his wife, Peggy, and former Republican gubernatorial candidate Marc Holtzman and his wife, Kristen.

Elway gave Giuliani the maximum allowable, $2,300, in the first quarter. Having such a big name on his donor list is a plus, said GOP political consultant Katy Atkinson.

“When everyone’s trying to break out, it draws attention to you, it lends credibility,” said Atkinson, who donated $1,000 to Romney’s campaign in February.

Romney has also picked up contributions from Philip Anschutz, the billionaire founder of Qwest Communications International Inc., and his wife, Nancy, and son, Christian.

Also chipping in to Romney campaign were former state GOP chairman Bruce Benson and his wife, Marcy, as well as former U.S.
Rep. Bob Beauprez and his wife, Claudia.

McCain brought in $172,808 in the second quarter and has $255,773 overall. Big Democratic donors in Colorado have been spreading their support to several different candidates.

Obama, Sen. Hillary Clinton and former Sen. John Edwards have each received $2,300 from Fort Collins billionaire Pat Stryker.
Software pioneer Tim Gill, founder of Quark Inc., gave $2,300 each to Edwards and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and $1,000 to Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn.

Both Stryker and Gill have been major contributors to Democratic candidates in state elections.

Independent pollster Floyd Ciruli said it’s not unusual for big donors to support a range of candidates this early in the campaign because they have connections with most of them.

“It is really largely a practical courtesy. There will be a time when it sorts itself out,” he said.

Dodd has also gotten donations from lawyers Norman Brownstein, Steven Farber and Tom Strickland. Ciruli said Dodd has worked a lot with the attorneys because of their lobbying in Washington.
Brownstein has also donated to Clinton.

Richardson is second among Democrats in overall fundraising in Colorado with $280,205. He brought in $129,505 in the second quarter.

He is a frequent visitor to Colorado and has strong ties in the state after stumping for Democratic candidates such as Sen. Ken Salazar and former Denver Mayor Federico Pena, Ciruli said.

He said many Colorado Democrats believe Richardson understands such Western issues as water, energy and public lands.
“He just has lots and lots of connections, political and business, that he can call on,” said Ciruli.

Ciruli said he has not donated to any presidential candidate.
Clinton is third among Democrats in overall fundraising in Colorado with $189,708. She reported raising $120,373 in the last three months but likely got a big boost in the current quarter from an Aspen fundraiser this month.

Dodd has raised $63,200 in Colorado, including $16,200 in the second quarter.

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