It is the first financial disclosure of her bid to become the Democratic nominee for governor, and Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington claims she has already set a record.
“Executive Councilor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cinde Warmington announced today that she has brought in $1 million since launching her campaign in June – breaking the modern-day record for any New Hampshire gubernatorial campaign at this point in the race,” according to a press release from her campaign.” As of the Dec. 4 filing deadline, Warmington’s campaign has over $675,000 cash on hand.”
Political observers said it was an impressive performance that sets the bar for outgoing Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig when she discloses her fundraising numbers Wednesday, as required by the secretary of state. Democratic activists told NHJournal privately anything less than $1.5 million for the incumbent mayor would be a disappointment.
Meanwhile, veteran campaign watcher Greg Moore, New Hampshire state director for Americans for Prosperity, said conventional wisdom calling Craig a shoo-in for the nomination is mistaken.
“It’s a great number for Warmington. Anyone who thinks this race is a slam dunk for Mayor Craig doesn’t know what they’re talking about.”
Additionally, Craig’s critics noted the mayor’s poor performance in last month’s municipal elections, when her hand-picked successor, Kevin Cavanaugh, lost to Republican Jay Ruais. Democrats also lost their majority on the Board of Aldermen for the first time this century.
Several Democrats noted state Sen. Donna Soucy (D-Manchester) has been an outspoken Craig supporter in the past, but she has declined to endorse her fellow Queen City pol in the gubernatorial primary.
“I have known Joyce Craig for many years,” Soucy told WFEA radio host Drew Cline Tuesday morning. “And I was a law school study partner with Cinde Warmington. I think either one would make an excellent governor.”
Warmington’s announcement is good news at first blush, but political professionals want to see the actual filing to find out how much was raised from donors as opposed to contributed by the candidate herself. According to the press release, Warmington has:
- Contributions totaling over $1,050,000, since launching on June 1;
- More than $675,000 cash on hand;
- More than 3,600 contributions, over 90 percent of which came from donors in New Hampshire;
- 75 percent of contributions were $100 or less.
“I’m grateful for the incredible support our campaign has received as we aim to take back the corner office to protect reproductive freedom and address the many challenges that have been ignored for too long,” Warmington said in a statement. “I’ve never lost an election, and we’re building a coalition that will win once again. Our campaign is best positioned to win in November 2024 and to lead Democrats to victory up and down the ticket. I’ll continue to have conversations with Granite Staters in every corner of New Hampshire to share our plans for making sure everyone in our state can live free and thrive.”
