Arizonans have donated $774,000 to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, nearly double the amount given to President Barack Obama, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.
The largest share of donations to Romney came from ZIP codes that include Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and the East Valley.
Over $1.6 million has been donated to presidential campaigns from Arizona through the third quarter.
Obama, a Democrat, has received $395,000 from Arizona to date. Of the remainder, the largest share from Arizona, $160,000, went to Republican candidate Ron Paul.
Stephen Nuño, an assistant professor in the Department of Politics and International Affairs at Northern Arizona University, said Romney’s 2008 presidential bid, though unsuccessful, provided him with more visibility than many of the lesser-known Republican candidates.
“Romney certainly has the advantage because of his previous network-building as a candidate, so it’s not surprising,” he said via email.
The largest share of donations to Romney, $69,435, came from the 85253 ZIP code, which includes Paradise Valley and part of Scottsdale. The next two, 85213 and 85205, from which Romney received $65,575 and $42,080, respectively, are located in Mesa.
During the 2008 campaign, residents of ZIP codes in Mesa and Gilbert, which have large Mormon populations, gave heavily to Romney, who is Mormon.
“I think he probably does well in the Mormon community because he’s Mormon,” said David Berman, a senior research fellow at Arizona State University’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy.
But Nuño said it is difficult to know how much of an impact Romney’s religion has, although it could potentially be beneficial.
“I can’t imagine Romney’s religion hurting him within the Mormon population, and I can envision him using this cultural attachment to his advantage during the campaign,” Nuño said.
Romney’s overall numbers are low compared to this time four years ago. Nationally he had raised $61.6 million by the third quarter of 2007, and so far this year he has raised $32.2 million. Romney had amassed $1.2 million in Arizona during that time, about $425,000 more to date than this year.
Berman said contributors likely have been holding back and will spend more as the primaries get closer.
“The money really starts to pour in when you can predict who the winner is going to be,” he said in a phone interview.
Barbara Norrander, a political science professor at the University of Arizona, said the state’s economy, which has continued to take a hit since the last presidential election, is probably not a factor.
“Candidates seem to raise funds, regardless of the state of the economy,” she said.
Joanne Ingram is a reporter for Cronkite News Service.
Cas Lee posted at 7:35 pm on Sun, Oct 28, 2012.
Hello, my fellow American voters!
I watched the Oct. 3rd, 11th, 16th, and 22nd debates.
1st Romney-Obama debate covered 7 topics: jobs; budget deficit/debt; social security/entitlements; federal gov’t economic regulation and role; healthcare; partisan gridlock.
2nd Romney-Obama debate covered 11 topics: college graduate jobs; gas prices; taxes; equal pay; Bush policies; Obama’s record; illegal immigrants; Libya; assault weapons; jobs; candidate misperceptions.
3rd Romney-Obama debate covered 10 topics: Libya; Syria; Egypt; U.S. world role; military spending; Israel; Iran; Afghanistan; China; U.S. national security threats.
Ryan-Biden debate covered 10 topics: Libya; Iran; economy; medicare/social security/entitlements; tax reform/spending/budget cuts; military policy; Afghanistan; Syria; abortion; negative campaign tactics.
Romney and Ryan won all 4 debates, although Obama improved some in the 2nd debate and Romney slightly took the win both in the 2nd and 3rd debates.
In the 3rd debate (unlike in prior debates), Obama reflected his weakness and disrespect by interrupting Romney a lot and using too many “one-line quips” to try to denigrate Romney.
Ryan won despite Biden’s consistently rude behavior during the debate (often interrupted Ryan, laughed when Ryan talked, pointed his finger). Biden’s tactics to evade issues/truth disrespected Americans interested in facts, figures, forecasts, and solutions for real people with real problems.
Romney and Ryan won with substance, directness, integrity, respect, clarity, facts, commitment, inspiration, credibility, and leadership.
As an INDEPENDENT female feminist (egalitarian) voter, I support the Romney/Ryan ticket.
Romney and Ryan, with their no-nonsense and methodic approach to solving America’s problems, are the best persons in terms of qualifications and character to lead our country and make life better for all Americans.
I am inspired by Romney/Ryan, and I hope that you are too!
Best regards,
Cas Lee