Gallagher campaign claims momentum

Kirsten Searer

Tuesday, July 13, 2004 | 11:11 a.m.

Democratic congressional candidate Tom Gallagher has made some progress in raising money from local gaming companies, his press secretary said Monday.

In a report due out today, Gallagher will disclose that he has raised more than $860,000 for his campaign, including about $430,486 in the second quarter of the year.

Gallagher will release additional numbers today, but press secretary Mara Gassman said he has about $546,000 cash on hand even after a "substantial" television advertising buy.

Most gaming companies have expressed outward support for Porter, but Gallagher has argued that they will support him once they see he is a viable contender.

"There's a lot of momentum behind him in all sectors, that includes the gaming sector," Gassman said. "He's not being shut out."

In all, Gallagher raised about $330,486 in the quarter. He loaned his campaign $100,000, bringing his total receipts to $430,486. During the quarter, he spent $310,188.

Gassman said Gallagher received donations from political action committees or board members associated with several gaming companies.

Gallagher is the former CEO of Park Place Entertainment, which is now Caesars Entertainment.

Mike Slanker, a political consultant working with Porter, said the Porter campaign will release their finance numbers soon.

Porter has about double the amount of cash on hand claimed by his likely November opponent's campaign with $1.13 million in the bank, Slanker said. He raised $542,500 this quarter and spent just $88,000, Slanker said.

While Gallagher has been running ads on the television and Internet, Slanker said the Porter campaign doesn't need to yet because Porter has better name recognition in the district.

"Tom Gallagher has no ties, no history, has never lived in Southern Nevada," Slanker said. "No one knows who he is. We're going to stick to our campaign plan and we'll be just fine in the fall."

Gallagher first bought a home in Southern Nevada in 2000, when he became CEO of Park Place.