Hutchinson tops Ross in August fund race

Gubernatorial nominees, other candidates file campaign finance reports

Aided by fundraisers featuring former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Republican gubernatorial nominee Asa Hutchinson raised about $50,000 more in contributions than Democratic gubernatorial nominee Mike Ross in August, according to campaign finance reports filed Monday.

Hutchinson reported raising $420,519.97 and spending $582,482.90 in August. Hutchinson's expenses for last month included $403,614.81 for television advertising and $15,026 for radio and other advertising.

In contrast, Ross reported raising $370,197 and spending $406,320.46 in August. Ross' expenses include $145,933 for television advertising and $23,881 for radio, newspaper and other advertising.

These latest campaign reports come a month after Ross reported outraising Hutchinson by $30,000-plus in July ($306,660 to $275,995) as the two candidates combined reported spending nearly $1.5 million on television advertising, including $1.1 million for Ross.

Hutchinson's campaign manager, Jon Gilmore, said that "the support and excitement surrounding Asa's campaign has never been greater, and we're picking up a lot of steam" as the Nov. 4 general election moves closer.

"Our most recent fundraising totals and poll numbers, coupled with Asa's clear-cut plan for Arkansas's future -- a plan that will actually work for all Arkansans -- further underlines my confidence as we head into the final fifty days," Gilmore said in a written statement.

Hutchinson spokesman J.R. Davis said he didn't have an estimate "readily available" about how much Hutchinson's campaign raised from an Aug. 20 fundraiser in Jonesboro featuring Romney, the Republican presidential nominee in 2012, and Aug. 27 fundraisers in Little Rock and Rogers featuring Christie, chairman of the Republican Governors Association. "We had many events in August and Christie and Romney were two of those."

Ross' deputy campaign manager for finance, Dustin Smith, said that "while Congressman Hutchinson relies on his Washington and Wall Street allies to raise money for him, we are proud to once again have a strong monthly fundraising report that shows Mike's broad support from hardworking Arkansans all across this state.

Ross' latest campaign finance report, "combined with a new poll ... showing the governor's race tied, demonstrates that voters are responding to Mike's positive vision for Arkansas's future and that Mike Ross has the momentum, resources and support to win on Election Day," Smith said in a written statement.

Hutchinson is a former 3rd District congressman, federal homeland security undersecretary and director of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Ross of Little Rock is a former 4th District congressman, state senator and Nevada County Quorum Court member.

In total, Hutchinson reported total contributions of $3.46 million, total expenses of $2.85 million and loans to his campaign of $62,000. That left his campaign with $667,010.05 in the bank as of Aug. 31.

In contrast, Ross reported total contributions of $5.65 million and total expenses of $5.36 million. That left the campaign with $307,537.92 in the bank on Aug. 31.

Libertarian nominee Frank Gilbert of Tull raised $1,299 and spent $457.52 last month, according to his report. His contributions total $6,139 and his expenses total $2,594.36, leaving $3,544.64 in the bank.

A report for Green Party nominee Joshua Drake of Hot Springs was not available through the secretary of state's office Monday at 5 p.m.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Democratic nominee John Burkhalter of Little Rock loaned his campaign $200,000 last month as he raised $53,938 in contributions and spent $322,545.72, according to his report. In total, he's raised $903,444, loaned his campaign $255,000 and spent $1.14 million. That left $42,540.54 in the bank on Aug. 31.

Republican nominee Tim Griffin of Little Rock, the 2nd district congressman, reported raising $85,784 and spending $37,375 last month.

He's raised total contributions of $777,132 and spent $343,151.58 in total. That left $433,980.42 in the bank on Aug. 31.

Libertarian nominee Christopher Olson of Leslie reported raising $122.98 and spending $151.98 last month. That increased his total contributions to $1,780.05 and total expenses to $1,223.56. He's also loaned his campaign $475, leaving $1,031.49 in the bank on Aug. 31.

ATTORNEY GENERAL.

Democratic nominee Nate Steel of Nashville, an attorney and state representative, reported raising $90,020 and spending $47,552.03 last month.

In total, he raised $471,553.41 and spent $122,121.01, leaving $349,432.40 in the bank, according to his report.

Republican nominee Leslie Rutledge of Little Rock, an attorney, reported raising $53,940 and spending $109,169.13 last month. In total, she's raised $521,732, loaned her campaign $56,941.36 and spent $536,247.85. That left $40,748.35 in the bank on Aug. 31.

SECRETARY OF STATE

Democratic nominee Susan Inman of Little Rock , a former elections division chief under then-Secretary of State Sharon Priest, raised $16,170 and spent $4,261.36 last month, according to her report. In total, she reported raising $92,681.86 and spending $51,285.54, leaving $41,396.32 in the bank as of Aug. 31.

Republican incumbent Mark Martin of Prairie Grove reported raising $7,795 and spending $2,029.34 from Aug. 15-Sept. 14. In total, he's raised $57,920 and spent $16,151.13, leaving $41,768.87 in the bank, according to his report.

TREASURER

Democratic nominee Karen Garcia of Hot Springs, an accountant, raised $13,280, loaned her campaign $943.96 and spent $9,073.82 last month, according to her report. She reported total contributions of $74,127.40, total expenses of $21,754.26 and total loans to her campaign of $18,122.20, leaving $70,495.34 in the bank.

Republican nominee Dennis Milligan of Benton raised $11,445, spent $7,859.29 and loaned his campaign $975.54 last month, according to his report.

In total, he's raised $132,650.60, loaned his campaign $48,561.23 and spent $152,412.68. That left $28,799.15 in the bank. He's the Saline County circuit clerk.

AUDITOR

Democratic nominee Regina Stewart Hampton of Little Rock reported raising $20,200.39 and spending $4,032.53 last month.

In total, she's raised $61,585.98 and spent $38,228.10, according to her report. She reported $70,780.16 in the bank on Aug. 31.

A report for Republican nominee Andrea Lea of Russeville, a state representative, wasn't available through the secretary of state's office Monday at 5 p.m.

LAND COMMISSIONER

Democratic nominee Mark Robertson of Little Rock raised $25,113 and spent $8,606.37 last month, according to his report. That pushed his total contributions to $59,518 and total expenses to $11,905.77. He's also loaned his campaign $6,100 and earned $2.94 in interest. He reported $45,113.47 in the bank on Aug. 31.

Republican incumbent John Thurston of Little Rock reported raising $14,738 and spending $13,640.40 last month.

In total, he reported raising $48,000, loaning his campaign $1,142.39, and spending $34,084.97, leaving $15,057.42 in the bank at the end of August.

Metro on 09/16/2014

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Special to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette - 09/15/2014 - Mike Ross

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Special to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette - 09/15/2014 - Asa Hutchinson

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