Republican U.S. Sen. John Boozman raised about $652,000 in contributions for his re-election campaign during the last quarter -- more than double the approximately $308,000 that Democratic candidate Conner Eldridge pulled in from donors during the same period.
The two candidates filed campaign contribution statements Monday with the Federal Election Commission.
Boozman's campaign ended the year with $1.5 million in the bank, while Eldridge's campaign completed the year with $448,268 in the bank, according to copies of their campaign finance records provided by their campaigns.
Boozman outraised Eldridge in the quarter that ended Dec. 31. In the previous quarter, Eldridge had the edge -- he raised more than $400,000 during the last three weeks of that quarter, which ended Sept. 30. Boozman raised more than $359,000 in the same three-month period.
Boozman, of Rogers, is seeking a second six-year term in the U.S. Senate. Eldridge, of Fayetteville, is a former U.S. attorney making his first bid for elected office.
Boozman started the quarter on Oct. 1 with $1.1 million in the bank. He reported raising $652,240 and spending $212,023 last quarter.
Eldridge started the quarter with $400,761 on hand. He reported raising $308,875 and spending $261,368 last quarter.
Boozman "is delighted by the progress we have made in the last quarter," said his campaign manager, Chris Caldwell.
"He is especially excited by the widespread support for his re-election," Caldwell said in a written statement. "Our campaign has received contributions from donors in all 75 counties across Arkansas, ranging from $1 to $1,500. As a result, we are in a great position one month from the primary with nearly $1.6 million cash on hand."
In the March 1 primary, businessman Curtis Coleman of Little Rock is challenging Boozman for the Republican nomination. A copy of Coleman's campaign finance report for the last quarter wasn't available Monday through Coleman's campaign.
Eldridge sharply criticized Boozman late Monday afternoon, referring to Boozman's five terms in the U.S. House.
"For nearly 15 years, Senator John Boozman has sat idly by and let our national debt triple, our taxes increase, our veterans suffer, our borders remain unsecured, and let the deck continue to be stacked against working families and others across Arkansas," Eldridge said in a written statement after releasing his fundraising totals.
"It's time for a change," Eldridge said.
In response, Caldwell said Boozman "is appreciative of the very positive response he is continuing to receive across the state. His message is clearly resonating with the people of Arkansas as evidenced by donations from hardworking families in all 75 counties of the state."
In central Arkansas' 2nd Congressional District, U.S. Rep. French Hill, a Republican from Little Rock, reported raising $263,825 and spending $83,445 last quarter. He began the quarter with $542,590 in the bank and ended it with $722,969 on hand.
A report for Brock Olree, a Republican from Searcy who is challenging Hill in the March 1 primary, showed that he raised $717, loaned his campaign $15,000 and spent $15,497 last quarter.
Former Little Rock School Board member Dianne Curry, a Little Rock Democrat who is running for the congressional seat, raised $20,849 and spent about $11,349 last quarter, said Curry spokesman Drew Pritt.
U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, a Republican from Hot Springs, started the quarter with $220,133 in the bank. He raised $122,805 and spent $80,332 last quarter, leaving $262,205 in the bank, according to his report.
U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, a Republican from Jonesboro, started the quarter with $419,342 in the bank. He raised $71,437 and spent $67,904 last quarter, according to his report. He reported $422,875 in the bank on Dec. 31.
U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, a Republican from Rogers, started the quarter with $915,711 in the bank. He reported raising $155,327 and spending $53,612 last quarter. He ended the quarter with almost $1.02 million on hand.
Metro on 02/02/2016