Funding spikes in Denham-Eggman race

A top Democratic lawmaker’s planned visit to Modesto on Monday – eventually canceled because of a flight delay – is the latest proof that both sides are investing heavily in the 10th Congressional District.

Rep. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, had planned the visit to support Michael Eggman’s bid to unseat Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock. It was planned at a time when last-minute contributions are flowing into both campaigns’ coffers and outside groups boost their own spending.

Lujan, who is essentially the chief elected fundraiser and strategist for House Democrats, has already steered significant support toward Eggman’s second challenge to Denham in a district where Democrats claim a 1.2 percent voter registration advantage over Republicans.

Tellingly, Lujan’s noontime appearance at Eggman’s 15th Street campaign headquarters was billed as “a roundtable discussion on the issues affecting the Latino community and ways to increase voter participation.” Forty-three percent of the congressional district’s approximately 739,000 residents in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties are identified as Hispanic or Latino.

In the battle for these votes, Denham has touted his support for comprehensive immigration reform measures that so far have been blocked in the GOP-controlled Congress. Democrats, in turn, have been blasting Denham for his support of presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Eggman’s staff said it hoped to reschedule the Latino forum. Meanwhile, the candidate held a mini-rally in the office for supporters who are registering voters and working phone banks.

“We have a lot of problems out there, and Congressman Denham hasn’t done anything to address them,” Eggman said.

Beyond Lujan’s appearance, the ongoing fundraising and spending in the 10th District race underscores the seriousness of the race.

Through all of 2016, records compiled by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics show, the DCCC has spent $2.1 million supporting Eggman while the conservative Congressional Leadership Fund has spent $1.6 million aiding Denham.

In a two-day period late last week, according to the most recent campaign filings, Denham reported raising $41,600 from supporters ranging from San Joaquin Valley farmers to the political action committees for the Bechtel construction company and the Altria Group, the parent corporation for myriad tobacco firms.

During the same two-day period, Eggman reported receiving a total of $15,600, from supporters including the Congressional Black Caucus and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

This story was originally published October 24, 2016 at 6:14 PM with the headline "Funding spikes in Denham-Eggman race."