August 06, 2012 04:35 PM UTC

Brown Falling Behind in Key HD-59 Race

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• by: Colorado Pols

The Durango Herald updates a race considered a key pickup opportunity for Democrats:

[A]ccording to their Wednesday filings, when it comes to fundraising, Democratic challenger Mike McLachlan has been trouncing incumbent Rep. J. Paul Brown, R-Ignacio, for the last two months.

Since announcing his campaign in February, McLachlan, a Durango-based lawyer, has raised $65,790 in 445 individual donations – $42,578 of it since June 4 – and spent $16,435. He has $50,355 cash on hand.

By comparison, since June 4, Brown has raised $16,365 in 255 individual donations, leaving him with $39,731 cash on hand.

“It’s hard to ask people for money, just because I’m so conservative. But I know it has to be done, so we’re working on it,” Brown said.

This southwest Colorado seat is at the top of the Democrats’ list of state legislative priorities this year–both due to a more competitive makeup after reapportionment, and Rep. J. Paul Brown’s perceived weakness as a representative. Brown spent his first year in office frequently embarrassing himself, and while his second legislative session was less eventful, he became a possibly uncomprehending agent for things like deregulating health insurance.

In a House the GOP controls by a single seat, this could certainly be the one that flips control back. It’s not the only such race, but it’s one considered particularly attractive. This weekend’s Herald story does remind us, however, that independent groups are expected to heavily play in the race as well–so keep that in mind as you tally up these numbers.

In a phone interview, Brown said he’d been wholly unaware of third parties’ previous expenditures on his behalf, and sounded flabbergasted that it seems to have surpassed $50,000.

If Brown hopes to keep this seat, he’ll need another “flabbergasting” independent effort. The question is whether Brown is a good investment–or would money be better spent elsewhere?