U.S. seat hopeful files report

The Democrat running for Congress in Arkansas’ 1st Congressional District has filed his pre-primary campaign-finance report.

Chintan Desai reported raising $9,899 and spending $5,106 between April 1 and May 2. Since entering the race against U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford, the Helena-West Helena educator reports raising $31,073 and spending $25,350, leaving cash on hand of $5,723 as of May 2.

The report was due May 10, but was filed May 13 because of an oversight, the campaign said.

On his pre-primary report, Crawford reported contributions of $24,508 and expenditures of $31,057. The Republican from Jonesboro had cash on hand of $356,232. Since then, subsequent contributions totaling $13,500 have been reported to the Federal Election Commission.

Neither Crawford nor Desai face opposition in their parties’ primaries Tuesday.

The Federal Election Commission was still waiting Tuesday for 4th Congressional District candidate Randy Caldwell to submit his paperwork as required by federal law.

“According to the database, the FEC has not received a pre-primary report from Mr. Caldwell as of 5 pm [EDT],” a commission spokesman said in an email.

The Hot Springs Village man is challenging U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman of Hot Springs in Tuesday’s Republican primary.