Record-Breaking Money Pours In for Cox-Valadao Slugfest

Not only have Central Valley congressional candidates raised more than they did in 2018, they have all set personal bests.

TJ Cox, David Valadao, Jim Costa and Devin Nunes have all set record breaking years to increase their war chests according to the Federal Election Commission figures. The latest reporting period covers Oct. 1 through Oct. 14.

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Cox Outraising Valadao

In what may be the tightest race in California if not the nation, incumbent TJ Cox (D-Fresno) is pulling away in the money game from David Valadao (R-Hanford) in a 2018 rematch for Congressional District 21.

For the reporting period Oct. 1-Oct. 14, Cox raised $118,000 more than Valadao. He has $1.2 million more overall for the election cycle. Both men have already eclipsed their 2018 total. Two years ago, Valadao raised $3.2 million and Cox with $2.9 million.

Cox won the race by 862 votes. Both men are advertising heavily on TV. Outside spending is high as well.

According to tracking website OpenSecrets, $6.9 million is being spent against Cox; and $5.5 million against Valadao. Another $800,000 has been spent in favor of the candidates.

In 2018, outside spending was just over $2 million combined.

The biggest outside spenders are the National Republican Campaign Committee ($3.7 million) and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ($3.1 million).

Nunes Triples His Opponent

Incumbent Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) nearly tripled the take of opponent Phil Arballo (D-Fresno) in the latest reporting period, $1.2 million to $425,000. Nunes represents Congressional District 22.

Despite his optimism, Arballo has raised $4.4 million total, much less than the $9 million raised by Nunes’ 2018 opponent, Andrew Janz.

Nunes has more than doubled his 2018 fundraising. Janz got closer than any other Nunes opponent in his nine congressional elections, 53%-47%.

In Congressional District 16, Jim Costa (D-Fresno) continues to outdistance Kevin Cookingham (R-Madera County). Costa set an all-time fundraising high this year, attempting his ninth term in office.

State Assembly: Phelps Still Outraising Incumbent

There are six state Assembly seats in the Valley. Two have no election challengers — Jim Patterson and Frank Bigelow.

Only one race can be considered close at least fundraising-wise, based on reports through Oct. 17.

Democrat Drew Phelps continues to outraise incumbent Devon Mathis (R-Visalia) for the south Valley assembly seat, $285,000 to $212,000.

Phelps is a former contributor to GV Wire.