July 14, 2009 11:55 PM UTC

Big Numbers from Stapleton for Treasurer

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• by: Colorado Pols

Walker Roberts Stapleton, one of three Republicans taking a run at State Treasurer Cary Kennedy, announced very strong fundraising numbers yesterday. According to a press release:

Setting a record fundraising quarter for a non-incumbent candidate for State Treasurer, Republican businessman Walker Stapleton raised $138,211 – with two-thirds of donors being Colorado residents.  The three-month effort leaves the Stapleton campaign with more than $126,000 cash on hand as Stapleton prepares to take on the incumbent Democrat.

The Stapleton campaign set the new fundraising record despite the challenges of a difficult economic climate and limitations on donations due to Amendment 54.  Stapleton credits the results to his strong, pro-taxpayer message and growing dissatisfaction with one-party rule at the State Capitol.

The “pro-taxpayer message” stuff is more than a little bit silly coming from this blueblood, but $138,000 is a ton of money for any quarter in a race for something like State Treasurer…even for someone who is a relative of George W. Bush. These numbers certainly put Stapleton in the driver’s seat for the GOP nomination and may very well end any thoughts that J.J. Ament and Muhammad Ali Hasan once had of running for the nomination themselves.