Arkansas' Republican gubernatorial nominee Sarah Huckabee Sanders raised about $321,000 in contributions in July as Democratic gubernatorial nominee Chris Jones collected about $245,000 in contributions, according to their latest campaign finance reports.
Jones and a spokesman for Sanders on Tuesday also exchanged jabs.
Along with Libertarian candidate Ricky Dale Harrington Jr. of Pine Bluff, Jones and Sanders are vying in the Nov. 8 general election to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Their campaign finance reports for July were posted on the secretary of state's website Monday night.
For the general election, Sanders reported raising $321,781.74 in contributions and spending $339,503.27 in July. That boosted the amount that she has reported raising to $7.06 million and spending to $752,485.40 for the general election, leaving a balance of $6.3 million on July 31.
For the May 24 primary election, Sanders reported raising $13.1 million and spending that much, including a $4.2 million transfer to her general election campaign. Sanders, of Little Rock, is a former White House press secretary for President Trump and the daughter of former Gov. Mike Huckabee.
For the general election, Jones reported raising $245,789.96 and spending $295,667.74 in July. That increased the amount that he has reported raising to $662,972.75 and spending to $544,141.69 for the general election, leaving a balance of $118,831.06 on July 31.
For the May 24 primary election, Jones reported raising $1.9 million and spending that much, including a transfer of $69,431 to his general election campaign. He is a former executive director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub.
Sanders said Tuesday in a written statement that "I continue to be humbled by the incredible support from Arkansans in all 75 counties, as well as Americans from all 50 states.
"Through bold conservative reforms, including lower taxes, investing in our kids' education, and reducing violent crime, we will create opportunity for all and take this state to the top," she said.
Jones said Tuesday in a written statement that "our campaign for Governor is making an impact."
"We're showing up in every corner of this state, talking face to face, and walking a mile in the shoes of everyday Arkansans," he said in a written statement. "That's why we're seeing strong fundraising numbers. Meanwhile, we see some stagnation in Sarah Huckabee Sanders's report as her campaign limits its time in Arkansas. Voters here in Arkansas expect candidates for the state's top office to work hard to earn their vote."
In response, Sanders spokesman Judd Deere said in a written statement that "Sarah Huckabee Sanders has completely shattered the record for the most money ever raised by a candidate for governor in Arkansas history and has a 50:1 cash on hand advantage for the general election.
"Arkansans reject Biden and the Democrats' failed policies and are ready for Sarah to lead our state to greater freedom, opportunity, and prosperity," he said.
In July, Harrington reported raising $2,322 and spending $46.27 for the general election. That increased his total amount raised to $31,704.72, and total expenses to $17,124.05, leaving a balance of $14,580.67 on July 31.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
For the general election, Republican nominee Leslie Rutledge of Maumelle reported raising $11,138.66 and spending $29,940.07 in July.
That increased her total amount raised to $533,393.06 and total expenses to $85,638.52 for the general election, leaving a balance of $447,754.54 on July 31. In June, she reported transferring $42,126 from her primary campaign to her general election campaign.
Rutledge has served as the state's attorney general since 2015.
For the general election, Democratic nominee Kelly Krout of Lowell reported receiving $26,163.10 in contributions and spending $14,074.11 in July. That increased her contributions raised to $184,329.86, total loans to $100, and total expenses to $151,028.28 for the primary and general election campaigns, leaving a balance of $33,401.58 on July 31, according to her report.
Libertarian candidate Frank Gilbert of Little Rock reported raising $272.17 and spending $22.17 in July. That increased the total that he reported raising to $2,973.17 and total expenses to $793.81, leaving a balance of $2,179.36 on July 31.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
For the general election, Republican nominee Tim Griffin of Little Rock raised $22,957 and spent $33,663.56 in July, according to his report.
His contributions received totaled $1.4 million and expenses totaled $98,371.82 for the general election, leaving a balance of $1.3 million as of July 31, according to his report. In June, he reported transferring $783,818 from his primary campaign to his general election campaign.
Griffin has served as the state's lieutenant governor since 2015, and served as the state's 2nd district congressman from 2011-2015.
For the general election, Democratic nominee Jess Gibson of Little Rock reported raising $34,216.95 in contributions, loaning his campaign $8,750 and spending $22,126.12 in July. That increased his total contributions raised to $316,074.63, total loans to $42,500 and total expenses to $306,024.54 for the primary and general election campaigns, leaving a balance of $52,675.09 on July 31.
SECRETARY OF STATE
For the general election, Republican incumbent and nominee John Thurston of East End raised $8,950 in contributions, loaned his campaign $94.99, and spent $4,501.54 in July, according to his report.
That increased his total contributions received to $21,746.50, total loans to $1,139.98, and total expenses to $8,076.54 for the general election, leaving a balance of $14,809.94, according to his report.
For the general election, Democratic nominee Anna Beth Gorman of North Little Rock reported raising $15,770.99 and spending $20,575.80 in July. That increased the total amount raised to $169,660.87 and total expenses to $146,853.43 for the primary and general election campaigns, leaving a balance of $22,712.95, according to her report.
TREASURER
Republican nominee state Rep. Mark Lowery of Maumelle reported raising $3,500 in contributions and spending $2,617.96 in July for the general election. That boosted his total contributions received to $92,989.32 and total expenses to $43,398.75 for the primary and general elections, leaving a balance of $49,590.57 on July 31, according to his report.
Democratic nominee Pam Whitaker of Little Rock raised $2,970 in contributions and spent nothing in July. That boosted her total fundraising to $7,229.49 and total expenses to $2,079.98 for the primary and general elections, leaving a balance of $5,149.51, she reported.
AUDITOR
Republican nominee Dennis Milligan of Benton reported raising no money and spending $5,266.21 for the general election in July. That increased his total contributions raised to $38,678.69 and total expenses to $5,533.01 for the general election, leaving a balance of $33,145.68 on July 31, according to his report.
In June, he reported a $34,378.69 transfer from his primary campaign to his general election campaign.
Milligan has served as state treasurer since 2015.
Democratic candidate Diamond Arnold-Johnson of Mabelvale and Libertarian candidate Simeon Snow of Rector haven't filed campaign finance reports yet, according to the secretary of state's website.
LAND COMMISSIONER
Republican nominee and incumbent Tommy Land of Heber Springs reported raising $3,950 in contributions and spending $220 in July.
That boosted his total contribution to $52,436.67, total loans to $3,000, interest earned to $351.89 and total expenses to $14,084.99 for the primary and general elections, leaving a balance of $41,703.57 as of July 31, according to his report.
Democratic nominee Darlene Goldi Gaines of Little Rock raised $2,749 and spent $763.81 in July. In total, she reported raising $9,553.92 and spending $6,357.28 for the primary and general elections, leaving a balance of $3,196.64 on July 31.
SUPREME COURT
District Judge Chris Carnahan of Conway raised $4,125 in contributions and spent $4,693.11 in July, according to his report. That increased his amount raised in contributions to $106,860, total loans to $26,798.07 and total expenses to $125,656.05, leaving a balance of $8,680.67 as of July 31, according to his report.
Supreme Court Justice Robin Wynne of Little Rock reported raising $500 in contributions and spending nothing in July. That increased the amount that he reported raising in contributions to $79,927.76, total loans to $10,000, and total expenses to $85,130, leaving a balance of $4,797.76 on July 31.