Mark Kelly Has Raised More Money Than Any Other Congressional Candidate

Plus two other Arizona stories for today.

According to the latest campaign finance reports, Mark Kelly is the top fundraiser over any other candidate running for Congress in the 2020 elections.

Kelly’s campaign has raised more than $20 million for his race against Sen. Martha McSally. McSally, who was appointed to fill John McCain’s Senate seat in 2018, has raised $12 million, making her one of the top fundraisers in the Senate. 

Mike Noble, chief of research and managing partner at OH Predictive Insights, said that fundraising in this year’s Senate race is on pace to dwarf that of 2018. McSally and Kelly’s combined fundraising is currently $32 million, while Sinema and McSally raised a combined $38 million for the entire 2018 election cycle.

“Arizona’s history of inexpensive and predictable U.S. Senate elections seems to be over,” Noble said in a statement. “The race between Republican Sen. Martha McSally and Democratic challenger Mark Kelly could attract upwards of $200 million, including outside spending.”

McSally is one of three incumbents in Arizona’s congressional races who failed to outraise an opponent. According to the latest Federal Elections Commission filings, Reps David Schweikert and Paul Gosar’s fundraising has fallen behind their Democratic challengers.

How to Send Valentine’s Cards To Phoenix Children’s Hospital Patients 

The Phoenix Children’s Hospital unveiled a new online tool this week to help patients feel the love this Valentine’s Day. 

Now through Feb. 14, loved ones from all across the country can fill out a form on the hospital’s website to have staff surprise a patient with a Valentine’s Day card. The website says the intent of the program is to give “patients and families a special greeting to let them know you are thinking of them.”

Three “sloth-some” cards are available to choose from to let patients know they are “the beary best.” There is no charge to send Valentines and no limit on how many can be sent.

Arizona’s First 2020 Ballots Mailed Out This Week

The first ballots of Arizona’s 2020 election cycle were sent to voters in two east valley cities this week, less than two weeks before ballots for the Presidential Preference Election are expected to be mailed out.

Voters in Tempe will be asked to decide who will fill multiple positions on the City Council. Five candidates are running to fill three at-large council seats, and former Councilmember Corey Woods is challenging Mayor Mark Mitchell for his seat at Tempe City Hall.

Chandler residents will be receiving an entirely different ballot. Instead of candidates, voters are being asked to approve a change in the city’s electoral process.

The Chandler City Council voted in favor of changing what dates elections can be held, a proposal voters must now approve. 

Roughly 200,000 ballots went out to voters in Tempe and Chandler. To avoid confusion between ballots received this week and those that will be sent for the Presidential Preference next week, KJZZ reports that city ballots have been given black stripes, and next week’s ballots will have black stripes.

Ballots for both elections must be submitted by March 10. Voters can check their ballots once they have been mailed using the Maricopa County Recorder’s ballot status tracker.