Ross outraises Hutchinson in gubernatorial race

Leading Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Ross raised more money than his leading Republican challenger, the first month that’s happened this year, according to March campaign finance reports filed Tuesday.

Most candidates running in the seven state constitutional office elections filed reports Tuesday with details of their campaign contributions and expenses for March.

Ross, the former 4th District U.S. congressman who now lives in Little Rock, reported raising $222,273 last month. Leading Republican candidate Asa Hutchinson, a former 3rd District U.S. congressman, raised $200,179.

Hutchinson had beaten Ross in fundraising during January and February, according to previous monthly campaign finance reports.

In an email, Ross’ campaign welcomed the news.

“The energy and momentum continue to grow for our campaign across this state - which is why Mike Ross has surged ahead in three consecutive nonpartisan polls and why we remain well on track to building the largest, most effective grassroots campaign in state history,” said Dustin Smith, a Ross campaign finance official.

Hutchinson’s campaign also expressed confidence.

“By raising over $200,000 in March, we set a new record for money raised since we began monthly reporting in the campaign,” said Christian Olson, communications director for Hutchinson’s campaign. “We look forward to using the resources entrusted to us to make the case for job creation, lower taxes and more responsible state government.”

According to the March reports, Hutchinson raised a combined total of $2,054,595 and had more than $1.24 million cash on hand at the end of March- including a $62,000 personal loan - compared with Ross’ combined total fundraising of more than $4.04 million and more than $2.05 million cash on hand at the end of March.

Both Ross and Hutchinson kicked up their spending in March, with Hutchinson spending $280,966 - more than double the $139,221 he spent in February. Ross reported spending $138,155 in March, a slight increase from the $103,295 he spent in February.

The uptick in Hutchinson’s spending came from more than $185,000 in television advertising in March, according to his report.

Hutchinson will face Republican challenger Curtis Coleman, a Little Rock businessman, in the May primary .

Coleman reported raising $38,345 in March and spending $25,892. The contributions brought his total fundraising to $435,717 - with about $16,446 cash on hand, including about $41,427 in personal loans.

The secretary of state’s office had not received campaign finance reports from Democratic gubernatorial challenger Lynette Bryant as of 6 p.m. Tuesday.

None of the Libertarian or Green Party candidates for state constitutional offices had filed reports at that time.

The required monthly reports can be postmarked by the close of business Tuesday or filed online at the secretary of state’s website by midnight. Only candidates who raise or spend more than $500 during a month are required to file the interim reports, according to campaign-finance rules.

Almost all of the candidates for lieutenant governor filed reports Tuesday, including Republican 2nd District U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin, who announced in February that he would run for the open position.

Griffin reported raising $105,545 in March, boosting his total fundraising to $309,094. He spent about $22,611 and was left with $265,626 in cash on hand.

State Rep. Andy Mayberry, R-East End, raised $320, bringing his total fundraising to $15,530. Mayberry reported having about $439 cash on hand, including about $3,049 in personal loans.

State Rep. Debra Hobbs, R-Rogers, filed two reports Tuesday. Hobbs filed a report for her campaign for governor, which she ended in February when she announced her candidacy for lieutenant governor. She also filed a report for her lieutenant governor campaign.

Hobbs raised no money in either report, which she listed as covering through March 17. She spent $22,154 from her governor campaign funds on advertising and transferred the remaining $9,873 in the form of a loan to her lieutenant governor campaign. She also gave her lieutenant governor campaign an additional $25,000 loan.

Democratic candidate John Burkhalter, who won’t face a primary challenger, reported raising $25,484 in March, bringing his total contributions to $743,681. He spent $26,050 in March and was left with about $431,972 in cash on hand, including $55,000 in personal loans.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

In the race for the attorney general’s office, two of three Republicans filed their reports Tuesday. Republican Leslie Rutledge of Little Rock reported raising $22,410 in March, bringing her total contributions to $200,764. She spent about $2,556 and was left with about $144,588 cash on hand, including a $2,900 personal loan.

Republican David Sterling of Little Rock reported raising about $12,040 in March, which boosted his total fundraising to about $155,894, according to his monthly report. He spent $17,780 in March, leaving him with about $108,764 cash on hand, including about $9,702 in personal loans.

A report was not available Tuesday for Republican Patricia Nation of Jacksonville.

Democratic candidate Nate Steel, a state representative from Nashville, reported raising $20,810 in March, bringing his combined total fundraising to $282,673. He spent $14,867, leaving him with $226,406 cash on hand, including a $100,000 personal loan.

SECRETARY OF STATE

Democratic challenger Susan Inman out raised and outspent her incumbent opponent in March, raising $8,545 and spending $3,261. Her total fundraising reached $39,776,and she was left with $12,357 in cash on hand at the end of March.

Incumbent Republican Mark Martin reported raising $3,000 in March, bringing his total fundraising to $20,825. He spent $17 and was left with $8,059 in cash on hand.

TREASURER

Democrat Karen Sealy Garcia of Hot Springs raised $8,545 in March, bringing her total fundraising to $17,300. She spent $24 in March and was left with about $25,073 in cash on hand, including personal loans.

State Rep. Duncan Baird, R-Lowell, raised $3,580 in March, which brought his total fundraising to $48,276. He spent $1,338 and was left with $41,767 in cash on hand, including personal loans.

Republican Dennis Milligan of Alexander raised $3,450 in March, bringing his fundraising total to $79,275. He spent $9,057 and had $55,355 in cash on hand, including personal loans.

AUDITOR

Democrat Regina Stewart Hampton of Little Rock raised $3,240 in March, which brought her total fundraising to $26,324. She spent $1,316 and had about $41,152 in cash on hand, including personal loans.

Republican Ken Yang of Benton raised $2,300 in March, bringing his total contributions to $34,584. He spent $276 in March and was left with $38,655 in cash on hand,including personal loans.

A report was not available Tuesday for Republican State Rep. Andrea Lea of Russellville.

COMMISSIONER OF STATE LANDS

Incumbent Republican candidate John Thurston reported raising $2,847 in March, bringing his total fundraising to $14,287. He spent about $218, leaving him with about $3,219 in cash on hand.

Democratic challenger Mark Robertson reported starting his fundraising campaign in March, raising an initial $6,245 and loaning himself an additional $6,100. After spending $6,206 in March, he had about $6,143 in cash on hand.