Other statewide candidates

❚ Robert Foster, governor. Foster, a Republican state representative from Hernando, raised about $20,000 last year and had about $12,000 to spend as of the filing deadline. He is far behind in fundraising but did not start until his announcement to run in mid-december. He picked up several contributions of more than $500 at the end of the year, mostly from residents in the Desoto County area.

❚ Velesha Williams, governor. The Democrat, a former Jackson State University employee who is new to politics, raised about $6,600, mostly via loans to herself. She has about $1,400 to spend after paying for various mailers, campaign supplies and a fundraiser she organized.

❚ Delbert Hosemann, lieutenant governor. The current Republican secretary of state raised just shy of $839,000 last year and spent $232,338, leaving

him with over $2.6 million cash on hand. That gives him a $2.2 million fundraising lead over his Democratic opponent, Rep. Jay Hughes, D-oxford. Hosemann enters the campaign season with widespread name recognition.

❚ Jay Hughes, lieutenant governor. The Democrat raised $965,000 — most of it his own money — and spent nearly $527,000, leaving him with $437,461 cash on hand. One loan from himself totaled $450,000. Hughes, who is in his first term as a state lawmaker, has gained a sizable social media following through a campaign focused on public education.

❚ Mark Baker, attorney general. The longtime Republican state lawmaker raised about $330,000, and spent about $45,000, and now has close to $380,000 in cash to spend on his campaign this year. Baker announced his candidacy in May and is a longtime critic of current AG Hood.

❚ Lynn Fitch, attorney general. The current state treasurer had raised more than $366,000 and spent more than $103,000, leaving her with more than $280,000 in cash to spend this year. The Republican has served as treasurer since 2012.

❚ Sam Britton, secretary of state. The current Republican public service commissioner, elected in 2015, announced his run several days ago. He raised about $265,000 last year and spend $12,000, leaving him with $261,000 in cash on hand.

❚ Michael Watson, secretary of state. The conservative state senator who was elected in 2008 raised $160,000 last year, and spent $5,000, leaving him with $155,000 in the bank. Watson has long been considered a GOP contender for higher office, and was urged to run for Congress in 2010.