Tucker outraises Hill in quarter

But GOP incumbent in U.S. House race still holding $1.5M

WASHINGTON — State Rep. Clarke Tucker, the Little Rock Democrat trying to unseat U.S. Rep. French Hill, raised more money than any other Arkansas congressional candidate during the third quarter, according to reports filed Monday with the Federal Election Commission.

Tucker reported $694,238 in contributions between July 1 and Sept. 30, but spent $851,185, leaving the campaign with $230,484 at month’s end.

Hill, the two-term Little Rock Republican incumbent, raised $595,368 and spent $761,357 during the same time period. The 2nd District congressman ended the quarter with nearly $1.5 million cash on hand for the fall campaign.

Tucker supporters are “encouraged” by the fundraising tallies, his spokesman, Graham Senor, said in a written statement.

“People recognize Clarke is someone who will put people first and work to protect our health care, improve our kids’ education, and defend our seniors’ hard-earned Medicare and Social Security. That’s why our momentum only continues to build just three weeks out from Election Day,” Senor added.

John Grove, Hill’s campaign manager, also touted the latest figures.

“Congressman Hill is thankful for the strong sup-

port across all seven counties,” he said in a written statement.

“Arkansans have recognized what is at risk this election and are ready to reject the Democrats’ plans for higher taxes, bigger government, and a weaker economy.”

Arkansas’ other three incumbent U.S. representatives raised nearly identical amounts of campaign contributions during the third quarter.

Third District U.S. Rep. Steve Womack raised $200,670 between July 1 and Sept. 30.

The Republican from Rogers, whose district includes most of Northwest Arkansas’ Interstate 49 corridor and as well as other, less populated areas, spent $263,497. His campaign reported cash on hand of nearly $1.2 million. His Democratic opponent, Josh Mahony of Fayetteville, raised $57,363 and spent $93,460, leaving him with $15,387. The Mahony campaign also reported debts and obligations totaling $46,666.

In the 1st District, which covers northeast Arkansas and a string of counties bordering the Mississippi River, U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford raised $200,388 during the period and spent $93,936, leaving his campaign with cash on hand of $468,755. The Jonesboro Republican’s Democratic challenger, educator Chintan Desai of Helena-West Helena, reported contributions of $53,158 and expenditures of $33,306, leaving his campaign with $25,758.

In the 4th District, which includes southwest Arkansas, Pine Bluff and a sparsely populated slice of Northwest Arkansas, U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman raised $194,679 and spent $153,563 and refunded $4,450 in contributions during the quarter.

The Republican from Hot Springs had slightly more than $1 million in his campaign coffers at month’s end. Democratic challenger Hayden Shamel, a teacher from Hot Springs, raised $44,800 during the quarter and had expenditures totaling $40,070. Her campaign finished the quarter with $24,020 in the bank.

All of the Democratic and Republican congressional nominees in Arkansas complied with the election commission’s Monday night deadline.

Campaign-finance reports had not been posted Tuesday morning for Libertarian nominees Elvis Presley of Star City (1st District); Joe Swafford of Maumelle (2nd District); Michael Kalagias of Rogers (3rd District); and Tom Canada of Scranton (4th District).

Office seekers who raise and spend less than $5,000 are not required to file.

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, who is up for re-election in 2020, reported campaign contributions of $134,257 and expenditures of $87,528. His Senate campaign committee had almost $2 million cash on hand and also debts and obligations totaling $92,981.

The campaigns are required to file additional financial reports later this month. The next filing deadline is Oct. 25. The general election is Nov. 6.