Porter, Berkley nearly even in funds

Greg Tuttle

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2000 | 10:51 a.m.

Republican state Sen. Jon Porter and Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley are drawing close to a tie in at least one facet of their race for a seat in the House of Representatives: money.

The latest federal campaign finance reports show Porter raised $297,927 between July and October, boosting his campaign war chest since entering the race last year to nearly $1 million.

Berkley, who entered the race with a healthy bank account, took in $197,549 during the same period. Her campaign has raised a total of $885,000 since Jan. 1, according to the Federal Election Commission reports filed Monday.

The news of a victory in at least one area of the race was greeted Tuesday in the Porter camp with enthusiasm. Porter has trailed Berkley in the polls by double-digit numbers.

"This is just one of the most competitive races in America," said Porter spokesman Josh Griffin. "It has been close all the way. We have kept pace with the incumbent and I think that's significant."

The candidates vying for the 1st Congressional District seat that includes Las Vegas and Henderson will finish the remaining weeks of the campaign with about the same amount of cash to spend. According to the reports, Porter has spent $805,000 on the campaign since the beginning of the year, leaving his bank account at about $208,000.

Berkley has spent $1.4 million on the campaign, and has $249,000 remaining before the Nov. 7 general election.

Both candidates have stepped up their campaign spending in recent weeks with television advertisements.

Berkley spokeswoman Stacy D'Aquila said the campaign is not planning any new television advertisements in the last weeks of the campaign.

"Financially, we've already made investments up through the election," she said. "The rest of our cash on hand will strengthen our position."

The former mayor of Boulder City, Porter has received financial support from Republicans at both the state and national level. Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn has stumped for Porter recently by attacking Berkley in a television advertisement. He also has contributed $2,000 to Porter.

The National Republican Congressional Committee has pitched in for Porter by sending him nearly $10,000, and the Nevada Republican Party and the Republican National Committee have each donated $5,000 to Porter's campaign, according to the financial reports.

Among Berkley's largest donors is Emily's List, a nonprofit organization which promotes women in politics. The group has given Berkley more than $62,000, according to the reports.