Campaign donations in the race for the Colorado House District 43, which covers all of Highlands Ranch, slightly favor the Democratic candidate in an area that has historically leaned red.
Bob Marshall, the Democratic candidate running against incumbent Republican Rep. Kurt Huffman, has raised $39,127 in donations compared to Huffman’s $32,476, according to Oct. 4 campaign finance reports available through the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office.
However, thanks to a $100,000 loan from himself, Huffman has managed to outspend Marhsall.
Huffman has spent around $120,000 so far, with Marshall spending roughly $54,000. Marshall has loaned himself $36,000.
A closer look at the donors show dozens of lobbyists, political committees and small donor committees donated to Huffman, including $500 from the Realtor Small Donor Committee and $400 each from the Colorado Energy Future PAC and the National Federation of Independent Business Colorado PAC.
Small donor organizations can collect up to $5,350 to donate to state legislature candidates through individual contributions of up to $50. Political committees and lobbyists, who classify as individual donors, can give a maximum of $400 to candidates.
Only three small donor or political committees showed up in Marshall’s donors, including $1,000 from the Littleton Fund for Children and Public Education and $2,000 from the Douglas County Democratic Party Small Donor Committee and $200 from the AFT Colorado chapter.
Highlands Ranch has been represented by a Republican in the Colorado House since at least 2008 and has largely voted Republican in most other races with the exception of the district narrowly voting to send Democrat Jason Crow to Congress representing House District 6 in 2020.
Huffman was appointed to the HD43 seat by the Colorado GOP in June when former Rep. Kevin Van Winkle became the Colorado senator for District 30, so both Huffman and Marshall would be first term representatives.
The next campaign finance filing deadline for candidates is Oct. 17.
