Richard submits signatures, comes up short in funds against Nelson

Gerald Richard is filing his signatures today to qualify for a place on the primary ballot against Democratic rival Tim Nelson. The Richard campaign said that while he will turn in over 5,000 signatures - more than twice the amount necessary to qualify - his fundraising so far does not stack up well against Nelson's.

"We haven't finished counting, but we expect to report between $60,000 and $70,000," said Doug Ramsey, spokesman for the Richard campaign. Yesterday, the Nelson campaign announced they will report over $200,000 for the same period.

"We're resigned to the fact that we're not going to be able to beat the governor's money machine," said Ramsey, "but we will have enough to run a credible campaign."

Ramsey was referring to the backing Nelson enjoys from Gov. Janet Napolitano, to whom Nelson was general counsel before leaving to run for Maricopa County Attorney. While Richard doesn't have friends in such high places, Ramsey said he'd "also like to remind people the governor's not running, Tim is."

"Gerald has 22 years of prosecutorial experience," continued Ramsey, highlighting Richard's experience with the Maricopa County Attorney Office's trial division and as general counsel to the Phoenix Chief of Police. "Tim hasn't been a lawyer that long."

"We know that Gerald Richard is a credible candidate with a long track record of public service," said Joshua Kilroy, Nelson's campaign manager, "but Tim Nelson has a greater depth and breadth of experience, and we expect that to be the decisive factor on September 2," the day of the primary.

Kilroy was also adamant that, despite the governor's endorsement of Nelson, she hasn't done any fundraising on his behalf. 

The winner of the primary will face incumbent county attorney Andrew Thomas. 

CORRECTION: Doug Ramsey's statement that "Gerald has 22 years of prosecutorial experience" should have read "Gerald has 22 years law enforcement experience."