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Jesse Kelly, who is running as an “outsider” in the CD8 Republican primary, jumped ahead of establishment candidate Jonathan Paton in the fundraising race in the latest reporting period. Incumbent Democrat Gabrielle Giffords added to her $1.9 million pile of campaign cash.

Thanks to

Updated Aug 13, 2010, 9:09 am

Dylan Smith TucsonSentinel.com

Jesse Kelly, who is running as an "outsider" in the CD8 Republican primary, jumped ahead of establishment candidate Jonathan Paton in the fundraising race in the latest reporting period.

Kelly pulled in $78,000 between July 1 and Aug. 4. Paton, who had led Kelly in the money race previously, raised $46,000.

Incumbent Democrat Gabrielle Giffords added to her pile of campaign cash, adding $90,000 to her $1.9 million in the bank.

"The momentum is with us because people realize that a former lobbyist like Paton, with virtually no real-world business experience, is not the best person to face Giffords," Kelly said in a press release.

"We're proud of where we are," Paton spokesman Daniel Scarpinato said.

Both GOP candidates have donors who have maxed out their contributions for the primary election; much of their fundraising can't be spent until the general election.

Kelly spent almost $160,000 in the past month, with $78,000 left in the bank. Paton spent $146,000, with $186,000 on hand.

Giffords spent $375,000 on her reelection drive in the month.

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"This report, along with the thousands of calls being made and hundreds of doors being knocked by our Cactus Roots volunteers, demonstrates the strong and growing enthusiasm for Gabrielle's work standing up for Southern Arizona," said Giffords spokeswoman Anne Hilby.

Arizona's primary election is Aug. 24. Early voting is underway, and Friday, Aug. 13, is the last day to request an early ballot.