Donations flow to 4 incumbents in U.S. House races in Arkansas

Congressmen outpace rivals

WASHINGTON -- All four U.S. representatives from Arkansas are out-raising their Democratic challengers and have more money stockpiled for the fall campaign, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission.

Among the incumbents, all of whom are Republicans, U.S. Rep. French Hill of Little Rock had the biggest war chest: $1.6 million as of June 30. U.S. Rep. Steve Womack of Rogers reported nearly $1.3 million; U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman of Hot Springs followed with just over $1 million; and U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford of Jonesboro lagged with $429,178.

Each of them had six-figure fundraising totals between May 3 and June 30, the period covered in the federal reports.

Hill's opponent, state Rep. Clarke Tucker of Little Rock, outpaced the other Democrats, reporting cash on hand of $386,391. He also raised the most money of all the challengers, collecting $373,140. He spent $226,402. During the period, Hill reported raising $426,054 and spending $410,629.

The 2nd Congressional District, where they are competing, covers most of central Arkansas.

In written statements, both campaigns portrayed the figures as positive.

"I am proud so many Arkansans stand with me and our common-sense agenda of lower taxes, better jobs, and higher wages -- not the destructive agenda of [House Minority Leader] Nancy Pelosi and the liberal Democrats who would put so much of the progress we have made at risk," Hill said.

Tucker's campaign manager, Don Shaw, said voters are "tired of Washington insider politicians falling in line with party bosses. ... Clarke's leadership and loyalty to the people he represents is why so many people are supporting this campaign. The numbers reflect that and show we'll have the resources to win in November."

The incumbents' fundraising edge comes as no surprise to University of Arkansas political science professor Janine Parry.

"It's a typical pattern," she said.

The money will enable the officeholders to spread their message via television, radio, Internet and direct mail.

"Resources help you get name recognition -- and name recognition, in most races, most years, is the name of the game," Parry said.

In the 1st District, which covers northeast Arkansas and a string of counties bordering the Mississippi River, Crawford raised $101,333 during the period and spent $28,388. His Democratic challenger, Chintan Desai of Helena-West Helena, raised $7,745 and spent $10,714 during the period, leaving him with $2,754 cash on hand.

In the 3rd District, which includes the biggest population centers of Northwest Arkansas, Womack raised $153,475 and spent $95,767 during the period. His Democratic opponent, Josh Mahony of Fayetteville, raised $30,366 and spent $24,043, reporting cash on hand of $51,484. In addition, he reported debts and obligations totaling $46,666.

In the 4th District, which includes southwest Arkansas, Pine Bluff and a sliver of Northwest Arkansas, Westerman raised $207,612 and spent $110,048 between May 3 and June 30. Democratic challenger Hayden Shamel of Hot Springs reported contributions of $26,245 and net operating expenditures of $28,652, with cash on hand totaling $18,563.

Losing candidates in the May 22 primaries also reported their fundraising, spending and cash-on-hand totals. In the 2nd District, Paul Spencer of Scott had net contributions of $7,405 and net expenditures of $98,490, leaving him with $726 remaining as of June 30. Jonathan Dunkley of Little Rock raised $6,081 and spent $6,141, leaving him with $418. In addition, the campaign reported debts and obligations of $10,000. Gwen Combs of Little Rock collected $1,488 and spent $4,464, leaving cash on hand of $3,012.

As of early Monday evening, the Federal Election Commission hadn't yet posted figures for Womack's unsuccessful challenger, Robb Ryerse of Springdale, or for Randy Caldwell of Hot Springs Village, who lost his race against Westerman.



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Metro on 07/17/2018

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