Democrats hold money leads in Congress races

Mark D. Preston

Friday, Oct. 16, 1998 | 11:23 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- With less than three weeks before Election Day, Democrats in the state's two hotly contested congressional campaigns have more money to spend than their Republican counterparts, according to campaign finance disclosures.

Senate

Republican Rep. John Ensign raised more money than Democratic Sen. Harry Reid during the past reporting period -- Aug. 27 through Sept. 30 -- but the representative still trails the senator by more than $250,000. Ensign is leaving the safety of his Las Vegas House seat to challenge Reid for the statewide post.

Ensign raised $563,500, and he has more than $391,000 cash on hand. The Nevada Republican raised $346,000 from individuals and another $224,000 from political action committees.

Reid raised $533,000, and he has more than $645,000 cash on hand. The Nevada Democrat raised $432,000 from individuals and PACs contributed about $101,000.

House of Representatives, 1st District

Democratic nominee Shelley Berkley holds a commanding money lead over her Republican opponent Don Chairez. She has about $300,000 more.

Berkley, a UNLV regent, raised more than $174,000 during the last reporting period, and she has $405,000 cash on hand. Berkley raised about $69,000 from individual contributors, and political action committees donated about $106,000.

Chairez, a former judge, raised more than $113,000 during the same period, and he has $103,000 cash on hand. Chairez raised about $28,000 from individuals, political action committees donated more than $81,000, and the Republican Party contributed an additional $4,500.