Hutchinson leads in campaign funds; $1.55M reported despite filing glitch

Gov. Asa Hutchinson's re-election campaign had $1.55 million in the bank at the end of last month, the Republican incumbent's campaign reported Monday.

Monday was the deadline for candidates for state offices to file their campaign finance reports for the July 1-Sept. 30 quarter with the secretary of state's office or to postmark their reports in the mail.

But some candidates ran into problems filing their reports into the secretary of state's upgraded electronic campaign filing system. Act 318 of 2017 requires candidates for state offices to use the online system in most circumstances, starting Oct. 1.

Graham Sloan, director for the Arkansas Ethics Commission, said commission officials advised candidates who were unable to file separate reports for their primary and general election campaigns in the electronic system to file one combined report rather than not file anything. The reports disclose contributions and expenses for each of those campaigns.

Hutchinson's campaign planned to file one report Monday night after it was unable to file separate reports Friday, Hutchinson's chief political strategist, Jon Gilmore, said Monday. The campaigns for Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, both Republicans, filed one report rather than two separate reports as well.

"Our staff is aware of this," said Chris Powell, a spokesman for Secretary of State Mark Martin, who also is Republican.

"We did have a system glitch with that issue and we are working to correct it. We have been working with many filers to work through any issues that come up during this transition to a new system," Powell said.

The reports from candidates for statewide office for the last quarter didn't also have cumulative totals of campaign contributions and expenses for the entirety of their campaigns.

"Since part of their reports on this election cycle may be on the old system and part on the new, the cumulative totals will be affected. In that event, you will likely have to compare and add the cumulative total from their last report on the old system to what is reported on the new system," Powell said. In the old system, reports could be filed electronically or on paper.

Hutchinson of Rogers raised $446,799 and spent $100,909 last quarter for the primary, Gilmore said.

The governor started the quarter with $889,639 in the bank for the primary and ended it with about $1.2 million, Gilmore said.

Hutchinson also raised about $42,300 and spent nothing for his general election campaign, Gilmore said. The governor started the quarter with about $295,550 in the bank for the general election and ended it with about $337,850, he said.

"We've not only met but we've exceeded every goal in fundraising for the governor's re-election," Gilmore said. "Asa Hutchinson's consistent conservatism in governing Arkansas and leadership with job creation is demonstrated by the outpouring of support that we've received thus far in the campaign."

Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Mark West of Batesville said he didn't file a campaign finance report for last quarter because he hasn't yet raised or spent enough to require a report to be filed. Candidates for state elected office are required to file a campaign finance report after they raise or spend $500.

No Democratic or other Republican candidates for governor have announced their bids for governor yet. Hot Springs Republican Jan Morgan, who owns a shooting range, said last week that she plans to form a committee to explore the possibility of challenging Hutchinson in the GOP primary.

For the 2018 election, the filing period for state and federal offices will be Feb. 22-March 1. The primary will be May 22, and the general election will be Nov. 6, 2018.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Griffin, of Little Rock, reported he raised $72,860 in contributions, earned $88.85 in interest and spent $13,010.42 last quarter for the primary election. He started the quarter with $170,019.60 in his campaign account for the primary and ended the quarter Sept. 30 with $229,958.03 in his campaign treasury for the primary.

He said he raised $2,600, earned $80.36 in interest and spent nothing for the general election. He started the quarter with $49,526.18 in the bank for the general election and ended it with $52,206.54.

North Little Rock Democrat Zachary Randall, who formed a committee to explore running for lieutenant governor in July, reported raising $1,150 in contributions and spending nothing last quarter for the primary. He started the quarter with $1,150 in his campaign bank account and ended it with $2,300.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Rutledge, of Maumelle, raised $62,705 and spent $11,243.43 last quarter for the primary election, said Rutledge spokesman Judd Deere. She started the quarter with $214,342.23 in her campaign account for the primary and ended it with $265,857.58.

Rutledge raised $8,400 and spent nothing for the general election campaign, Deere said. She started the quarter with $18,900 in her campaign treasury for the general election and ended it with $27,303.93.

SECRETARY OF STATE

Democratic candidate Susan Inman of Little Rock reported raising $28,385 in contributions and spending $413.90 last quarter for the primary, leaving $27,971.10 in the bank as of Sept. 30.

Republican candidate Trevor Drown, a state representative from Dover, reported raising $18,650 in contributions and spending $16,960.29 last quarter for the primary. He started the quarter with $21,641.33 in his campaign treasury and ended it with $23,331.04.

Republican candidate John Thurston of Little Rock, who is now the state land commissioner and seeking to become secretary of state, hadn't filed a report as of Monday at 6 p.m.

Republican incumbent Mark Martin of Prairie Grove is barring from seeking re-election under the state's term limits amendment.

STATE TREASURER

Republican incumbent Dennis Milligan of Benton reported raising $10,275 in contributions and spending $1,642.10 last quarter for the primary. He started the quarter with $2,514.35 in his campaign treasury and ended it with $11,147.25 on hand on June 30.

He also reported raising no money last quarter to help retire a 2014 campaign debt of $31,049.98 that he owes himself.

STATE AUDITOR

Republican incumbent Andrea Lea of Russellville reported raising $1,700 in contributions and spending $820 last quarter for the primary. She started the quarter with a campaign treasury of $9,994.09 and ended the quarter with a campaign account of $10,874.09.

LAND COMMISSIONER

Bryant Republican Alex Ray reported raising $5,025 in contributions and spending $2,240.98 last quarter. He started the quarter with $14,524.55 in his campaign account and ended it with $17,307.57.

Heber Springs Republican Tommy Land reported raising $2,570 and spending $3,848.84 last quarter for the primary. He started the quarter with $18,216.92 in his campaign treasury and ended it with $16,938.08.

Sheridan Democrat Shaun Hubanks of Sheridan reported raising $59 in contributions and spending $47.50 last quarter for the primary. He started the quarter with $11.50 and ended the quarter with $23 in his campaign account.

Thurston is barred from seeking re-election under the state's term limits amendment.

Metro on 10/17/2017

Upcoming Events