Beebe outpaces Hutchinson in governor's race fundraising

Beebe outpaces Hutchinson in governor's race fundraising

By ANDREW DeMILLO
Associated Press Writer

LITTLE ROCK (AP) -- Democrat Mike Beebe's gubernatorial campaign has raised nearly $2.75 million, outpacing the $1.26 million raised by Republican rival Asa Hutchinson, campaign finance reports filed Wednesday show.

Hutchinson quickened his fundraising pace in February, raising $173,850 in the month compared to $203,547 raised by Beebe.

Beebe, the state's attorney general, spent $172,721.97 and ended the month with nearly $1.79 million in cash on hand. Hutchinson, a former congressman, spent $73,120.74 and ended the month with $675,887.81 in cash on hand.

"We're just very pleased that we're still able to raise as much as Republicans," Beebe spokesman Zac Wright said.

Wednesday marked the deadline for candidates to file or mail their monthly campaign finance reports for February.

Hutchinson spokesman David Kinkade noted that the campaign raised double the amount it did in the previous month and said Hutchinson is narrowing the fundraising gap with Beebe.

"I think what you're seeing is we're gaining momentum with each passing month," Kinkade said. "We're on track to keep that momentum."

Former Clinton administration official Bill Halter raised about $145,483 for his now-defunct gubernatorial, according a copy of his report provided by his campaign. Halter dropped out of the governor's race last week to run for lieutenant governor.

Halter, a Democrat, must return all unspent contributions to his donors. The Democrat will file his first report as a lieutenant governor candidate next month.

Halter reported ending the month with about $128,296 in cash on hand, but campaign spokesman Bud Jackson said the amount is actually $1.25 million because all of the funds from Halter's exploratory committee have not been transferred.

Notable donors to Beebe's campaign include St. Vincent Health System President and CEO Stephen L. Mansfield, the Arkansas Cable Telecommunications Political Action Committee and the Arkansas Hospital Association.

Beebe also reported donations from U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder and state Rep. Joyce Elliott of Little Rock.

Notable donors to Hutchinson's campaign included numerous current and former executives with Bentonville-based Wal-Mart, including V. Jay Allen, a vice president; Linda Dillman, the company's chief information officer; and retired Wal-Mart executive Donald Soderquist.

Hutchinson also reported a $1,000 donation from former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft's wife, Janet.

In the attorney general's race, Rep. Dustin McDaniel of Jonesboro continued to outpace his opponents for the Democratic nomination. Saline County Prosecutor Robert Herzfeld and North Little Rock City Attorney Paul Suskie are also seeking the party's nomination.

McDaniel raised $54,301, bringing his total contributions to $398,841.79. McDaniel spent about $65,720 last month and ended with $119,167 in cash on hand.

Herzfeld raised $24,085 last month, bringing his total contributions to $269,461. He spent $18,140 in February and ended the month with $160,075 in cash on hand.

Suskie raised $22,879 last month, bringing his total contributions to $300,005. He spent $7,487.55 and ended the month with $225,883.91 in cash on hand.

Gunner DeLay, a former state senator from Fort Smith and the only Republican running for attorney general, raised $13,570 in February, bringing his total to $28,870. DeLay spent about $5,987 last month and ended February with $16,772 in cash on hand.

Among the Democrats running for lieutenant governor, Sen. Tim Wooldridge of Paragould raised the most in February with $43,695, bringing his total contributions to $374,897.96.

The other Democrats running for the spot are Drew Pritt of Warren, Sen. Jay Martin of North Little Rock and former state Rep. Mike Hathorn of Huntsville.

Wooldridge spent $36,229.32 and ended the month with $243,075.67 in cash on hand.

Martin raised $32,294.50 last month, bringing his total raised to $155,926.50. He spent $10,127 and ended the month with $100,801.67 in cash on hand.

Hathorn raised $26,005, bringing his total to $317,688. He spent $18,239.24 and ended the month with $138,121.32 in cash on hand.

Pritt had not filed his report Wednesday afternoon.

Former federal prosecutor Chuck Banks, a Republican running for lieutenant governor, raised $16,859 last month, bringing his total to $222,354. Banks spent $11,523.66 and ended the month with $169,062 in cash on hand.

Banks' rivals for his party's nomination - state Rep. Doug Matayo and state Sen. Jim Holt, both of Springdale - had not filed their reports late Wednesday.

Secretary of State Charlie Daniels, a Democrat, raised $20,756 in his re-election bid last month, bringing his total to $89,763.52. Daniels spent $1,062.24 and ended the month with about $59,153.

Republican Secretary of State candidate Jim Lagrone of Bryant raised $5,695 in February, bringing his total to $76,288. At the end of the month, he had spent $2,336 and had $29,487 in cash on hand.

In the race for state treasurer, Mac Campbell of Harrison raised $16,220 in February, bringing his total contributions to $144,475.

Campbell, a former aide to U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln, spent about $5,656 and ended the month with about $81,508.

Campbell is running against former state representative Don House of Walnut Ridge and Newport real estate agent Martha Shoffner for the Democratic nomination for treasurer.

House raised $12,000 last month. The former state representative spent $6,648 and ended the month with $34,463.34 in cash on hand.

Shoffner raised $7,335 last month. She spent about $5,696 and ended the month with about $60,121 in cash on hand.

Treasurer Gus Wingfield announced last month he would not seek re-election for the post. No Republican is running for treasurer.

Rod Bryan, a Little Rock record store owner who is trying to get on the November ballot as an independent, raised $100 and brought his total to $4,428. He reported spending more than $43 on bike parts and repairs.