Campaign spending accelerates in New Mexico governor race

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Campaign spending has accelerated in the political race for governor of New Mexico, with two candidates spending a combined $2.6 million over a four-week period.
Campaign finance reports filed Monday show that Democratic candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham spent $1.6 million in the four-week period ending Oct. 1. Her campaign raised more than $1.1 million in contributions, more than twice that of Republican rival Steve Pearce.
The two members of Congress are competing to succeed Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, who cannot run for a third consecutive term. The campaign finance reports were filed amid a blitz of television advertising. Early absentee balloting begins Tuesday.
Pearce's campaign raised about $420,000 in contributions and spent just over $1 million. Pearce had the larger campaign cash war chest leading toward October early voting.