Campaign finance requirements govern the raising and spending of money for political campaigns. While not the only factor in an election’s outcome, successful fundraising can provide a candidate with advantages, such as the ability to boost name recognition and promote a message. In addition, fundraising can indicate enthusiasm for candidates and parties.
This article lists the top individual fundraisers in Arizona by their party affiliation. It is based on campaign finance reports that active Arizona candidate political action committees (candidate PACs) submitted to the Arizona Secretary of State. It includes activity between Jan. 1, 2021, and June 30, 2021. Candidate PACs represent individuals who have run for state or local office at any point, including past and present officeholders. This article does not include non-candidate PACs.
Top Arizona Fundraisers
The top fundraisers in Arizona elections are shown below. For the purpose of this article, fundraisers may include individuals who are on the ballot this election cycle as well as those not currently running for office but who have received contributions during this reporting period. Individuals are listed with the office that they held at the time of publication, if applicable.
In the Democratic party, the only fundraisers in the most recent semiannual reporting period were:
- Katie Hobbs (Secretary of State) – $76,888
- Robert Meza (House of Representatives, District 30) – $4,525
In the Republican party, the only fundraisers in the most recent semiannual reporting period were:
- Karen Fann (State Senate, District 1) – $254,105
- Mark Finchem (House of Representatives, District 11) – $9,550
- Michelle Ugenti-Rita (State Senate, District 23) – $5,450
- John Kavanagh (House of Representatives, District 23) – $3,400
Fundraising Totals
Overall, the top Arizona Democratic candidate PACs raised $81,413 in this period. The top Republican candidate PACs raised $272,505. Arizona candidate PACs in the Jan. 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021, filing period raised a total of $356,927. Combined, these Arizona candidates account for 99% of total fundraising.
Contributions to the top two Democratic candidates made up 100% of the total amount reported by their party’s campaigns. Contributions to the top four Republican fundraisers comprised 100% of the total amount reported by Republican campaigns.
The table below provides additional data from the campaign finance reports from the top seven fundraisers. For more information on fundraising and spending for Arizona races on the 2022 ballot, click here.
| Name | Party Affiliation | Raised this period | Spent this period |
| Karen Fann | Republican Party | $254,105 | $233,637 |
| Katie Hobbs | Democratic Party | $76,888 | $0 |
| Mark Finchem | Republican Party | $9,550 | $10,845 |
| Michelle Ugenti-Rita | Republican Party | $5,450 | $1,238 |
| Robert Meza | Democratic Party | $4,525 | $0 |
| John Kavanagh | Republican Party | $3,400 | $1,965 |
| Steve Remus | Other | $3,009 | $3,009 |
Campaign Finance Reporting Periods
The reports filed with the Arizona Secretary of State cover Jan. 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021. Candidate PACs in Arizona must file semiannual financial reports of their fundraising and campaign spending. During election years, candidate PACs also file additional financial reports before primary and general elections.
The next semiannual campaign finance reporting deadline for Arizona legislators and candidates will include activity between July 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2021.
This article was published in partnership with Transparency USA. Click here to learn more about that partnership.