Hutchinson leading foes in latest finance reports

Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson raised about $292,000 in contributions last month for his re-election campaign, while Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jared Henderson raised about $65,000, they reported on Thursday.

Republican gubernatorial challenger Jan Morgan reported raising about $37,600 last month, including a transfer of about $17,400 from her exploratory committee.

Thursday was the deadline for candidates to either electronically file campaign-finance reports for last month with the secretary of state’s office or have their reports postmarked in the mail.

The filing period for candidates for state and federal offices begins at noon next Thursday and ends at noon March 1. The primary election is May 22 and the general election is Nov. 6.

Hutchinson of Rogers is seeking his second four-year term. Henderson of Little Rock and Morgan of Hot Springs are making their first bids for elected office. Henderson is a former state director for Teach for America in Arkansas and Morgan is an owner of a shooting range.

For the whole campaign thus far, Hutchinson has raised $2.68 million in contributions and spent $412,606.74 for the primary and general elections through the end of last month, said Hutchinson’s chief political strategist, Jon Gilmore. In January alone, Hutchinson spent about $45,000, Gilmore said. Last month, Hutchinson said he wants to raise $5 million for his campaign.

For the primary election, he reported $1.76 million in his campaign account on Jan. 31. For the general election,

he reported $511,850 at the end of last month.

“We are delighted with the fundraising support from donors all across Arkansas,” Hutchinson campaign spokesman Jamie Barker said in a written statement.

“The governor’s fulfillment of his promise to lower the income tax rate is resonating with voters as well as his continued commitment to lower it yet again as he announced this week,” he said.

Henderson reported he raised $65,251.47 and spent $15,625.59 last month. In total, he has raised $96,729.65 in contributions, lent his campaign $100,000 and spent $18,324.50, according to his report.

He started the month with $128,779.27 in the bank and ended it with $178,405.15 in his campaign treasury. He announced his bid for governor in mid-December.

‘We’re overwhelmed with the support we’ve received so far and we will have the funds to run a competitive race that reaches all across Arkansas,” Henderson said.

Morgan’s gubernatorial campaign reported raising $37,594.04 last month, including a $17,398.04 transfer from the Jan Morgan for Governor Exploratory Committee on Jan. 1. She reported spending $14,951.75 last month, leaving her with a campaign balance of $22,642.29 on Jan. 31.

At this point in the 2014 campaign, then-Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Ross of Little Rock reported a campaign treasury of $1.93 million, while Hutchinson reported a campaign balance of $1.3 million, and his Republican opponent, Curtis Coleman of Little Rock, reported a balance of $5,496.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

Republican Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin of Little Rock reported raising $35,310 in contributions, earning $85.27 in interest and spending $3,053.05 last month. He ended the month with $439,577.85 in his campaign treasury.

Little Rock Democrat Anthony Bland, who announced Wednesday that he is running for lieutenant governor rather than secretary of state, reported raising no money or spending anything last month on his campaign for secretary of state. He reported a campaign balance of $1,150 at the end of last month.

ATTORNEY GENERAL

Republican incumbent Leslie Rutledge of Maumelle reported that she raised $26,520 in contributions, earned $31.23 in interest and spent $9,077.18 last month.

She ended the month with $388,167.08 in her campaign treasury.

No other candidate has announced for the position.

SECRETARY OF STATE

East End Republican John Thurston, who is the state’s land commissioner, reported raising $13,405 in contributions and spending $2,057.26 last month. He reported a campaign balance of $44,204.24 as of Jan. 31.

Little Rock Democrat Susan Inman reported raising $7,475 in contributions and spending $5,379.39 last month. She ended the quarter with a campaign balance of $31,480.06.

Rep. Trevor Drown, R-Dover, reported raising $3,950 in contributions and spending $255.15 last month. He ended the last month with a campaign treasury of $51,911.80.

LAND COMMISSIONER

Heber Springs Republican Tommy Land reported raising $3,316 in contributions and spending $1,065.77 last month. He ended the month with $22,901.52 in his campaign treasury.

Hot Springs Democrat Larry Williams, a former Garland County judge, reported raising $2,700 in contributions and spending $78.83 last quarter. He reported raising a total of $4,700 and spending $171.91, leaving $4,528.09 in his campaign treasury on Jan. 31.

Sheridan Democrat Shaun Hubanks of Sheridan filed his final campaign report after raising and spending no money last quarter. He reported carryover funds of $23 as of Jan. 31.

AUDITOR

Last month’s report for state Auditor Andrea Lea, a Republican from Russellville, was unavailable on the secretary of state’s website as of 6:30 p.m. Thursday. No other candidate has announced for the office.

TREASURER

State Treasurer Dennis Milligan reported raising $1,400 in contributions and spending $151.71 last month for his campaign for a second four-year term.

The Benton Republican ended the month with $14,080.42 in his account. No other candidate has announced for the post.