Ronchetti, who has been relying in part on the fund-raising apparatus of former GOP Gov. Susan Martinez, reported $1.495 million in cash on hand as of May 2. Dow reported $495,000 in cash.

Latest fund-raising reports here. 

The former KRQE-TV weatherman has no intention of deploying all that money between now and the June 7 primary. If he is victorious, he could start the general election campaign against MLG with close to $1 million, even after matching whatever Dow spends and then some. 

But he still must defeat Dow who has run an underdog campaign with hard messaging that has raised her profile but Ronchetti has heavily outspent her on TV ads. That could make the difference. 

A SurveyUSA poll released by KOB-TV Monday had Ronchetti handily leading the contest (44%) with Dow running a surprising fourth with only 9 percent, despite being the only candidate other than Ronchetti with paid broadcast media. 

Our political pros say the survey may have it right "directionally" with Ronchetti in the lead but were dubious of some of the other numbers, wondering about the geographic sampling of ABQ vs. the rest of the state. 

Dow has been subjected to a massive negative campaign by Ronchetti. 

The survey, which said 23 percent of GOP voters remain undecided, was done via robo calls to landlines and online participation April 29 to May 7 with a margin of error of 6.4 percent. There has been no other public polling in the contest. 

Late Monday Dow had this statement:

GOP hopefuls Jay Block and Greg Zanetti remained stalled out in fund-raising, according to reports filed with the SOS Monday. 

Block had less than $35,000 in cash which means a wide-ranging media buy is unlikely. Greg Zanetti had less than $165,000 in cash. 

The low fund-raising totals for Zanetti and Block is good news for Dow who wants to avoid splitting the anti-Ronchetti vote with them but overcoming Ronchetti's cash and name ID remains a formidable task. 

Among those contributing the past month to Ronchetti was former TV news anchorman Dick Knipfing who gave $1,000 to his former TV co-worker. 

Former Dem Public Regulation Commissioner Valerie Espinoza of Santa Fe has crossed the aisle for this primary and donated $2,000 to Dow. She is also reported to be working the North for the T or C state rep. 

The Governor has been spending a good deal of time in fire-stricken areas of Northern New Mexico and that has enhanced her leadership image, but the aftermath of the fire and how the many dislocated people will handle the financial damage of the fires is a challenge that awaits her and other government officials. 

In the race for the Dem nod for state auditor, Public Regulation Commissioner Joe Maestas reported about $85,000 in cash on hand and enough for a bit of a TV buy. He comes with this spot that stresses his lengthy government experience. He does not directly mention his younger rival, 31 year old Zack Quintero, a former MLG aide, who reported $60,000 in cash on hand. 

It was a lively TV debate between Dem attorney general contenders Raul Torrez and Brian Colón Monday night. The two again sparred over qualifications with Torrez hammering away at his theme that Colón, the state auditor, is a "politician not a prosecutor." Colón attacked Torrez's "failed record" as BernCo district attorney. The give and take did not let up for the full hour which can be seen here. 

The winner of the primary is very likely the next attorney general. No Republican has won the spot since 1986. 

TODAY'S THE DAY 

This is the first day of voting in the primary election with county clerk's offices across the state open for those wishing to cast ballots. In person voting at convenience centers in BernCo will open May 21st.

This is the home of New Mexico politics.