Maddox matches Ivey in July fundraising; Vance tops Parker

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Democratic challenger Walt Maddox kept fundraising pace last month with Gov. Kay Ivey, according to campaign finance reports filed Thursday, a positive sign for his campaign as he takes on the Republican incumbent in the governor’s race.

Fundraising reports filed Thursday evening show Maddox raised $245,024 in July. Ivey raised $248,523.

Maddox also has slightly more campaign cash on hand, heading into the peak of campaign season. Maddox has a campaign fund balance of $313,248, according to filed reports. Ivey has a campaign balance of $271,476.

While Maddox and Ivey posted similar numbers in July, Ivey has a more than 3-to-1 overall fundraising advantage when including money raised during the party primaries.

Maddox has raised a total of $1.4 million for his campaign, while Ivey raised nearly $5 million. Ivey reported spending most of that in the GOP primary as she faced multiple challengers from within her own party.

The cash advantage allowed Ivey to keep a heavy television presence during the GOP primary. Ivey began running a new television ad this week.

The Maddox campaign said it’s encouraged by the fundraising reports.

“This continues to be a great indicator of the popular support that’s out there for Walt Maddox as more and more voters, Republicans and Democrats, respond to Walt’s vision for Alabama,” Maddox spokesman Chip Hill said in the campaign’s statement.

The governor and the Tuscaloosa mayor will face each other in the Nov. 6 election.

Maddox is seeking to become Alabama’s first Democratic governor in 20 years. His platform includes a proposal to start a state lottery to fund education programs.