2018 state candidates raise more than $10 million

Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb continues to lead in fundraising in the race for governor, but two other Republicans made huge loans to their own campaigns in an effort to keep pace, their latest reports show. Similar large loans can be found in the reports of candidates for state labor commissioner. Overall, through Sept. 30, candidates seeking election to statewide office or the Legislature in 2018 took in more than $10 million, the reports show. The deadline to file the latest reports was Tuesday. Lamb took in another $626,066 in donations during the third quarter of the year, to bring his total to $2,720,112, his report shows. “I am simply overwhelmed by the continued generosity of Oklahomans from all 77 counties,” said Lamb, who continued to get strong support from leaders in the state’s oil and gas industry. A political newcomer, Tulsa businessman Kevin Stitt, was second, raising $811,147 from donors and putting $800,000 of his own money into the race.

“Our state faces some big challenges that can’t be solved by the career politicians who got us into this mess,” said Stitt, the founder and CEO of Gateway Mortgage Group. “I never ask anyone to do anything I’m not willing to do myself.

I will be matching contributions to my campaign dollar for dollar. Tulsa attorney Gary Richardson reported raising $1,047,436, through Sept. 30, almost all out of his own pocket. “We’re in it to win it,” Richardson said in a news release. “That’s why my wife, Lanna, and I made the decision to put $1 million of our own money into this race. I refuse to be beholden to the special interest groups. Next in fundraising among the six GOP gubernatorial candidates is Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, with $801,128 in donations through Sept. 30. Former state Rep. Dan Fisher reported raising $94,582 and the state auditor and inspector, Gary Jones, reported raising $54,785. “There will be plenty of time to campaign,” Jones said of his bid for governor. “When we start raising money, we’ll have significant funds because I truly believe that we’re in the best position to fix the mess the state’s in.” Jones said he has been focusing on doing his job and on his family. His mother died this summer.

The Democrats

Among the Democrats running for governor, House Minority Leader Scott Inman reported raising $169,195 through Sept. 30. He dropped out of the race abruptly last week to focus on his family.

Former state Sen. Connie Johnson reported raising $38,138 through Sept. 30 while retired Oklahoma City mechanic Norman Brown did not have a third-quarter report on file yet Wednesday night.

Leading in fundraising was Drew Edmondson, a former attorney general making his second try for governor. He reported raising $545,163 through Sept. 30.

“Drew has received tremendous support from across the state,” his campaign manager, Mike Clingman, said. “We’re not surprised when we look across the aisle and see the big businesses and corporate special interests that are lining up behind their chosen Republican candidates.”

The Libertarians

Three Libertarians are in the race.

Big cat breeder Joseph Maldonado, also known as Joe Exotic, reported raising $6,593 through Sept. 30. Chris Powell, of Bethany, reported raising $1,089. Rex Lawhorn, of Broken Arrow, reported raising $350.

Labor commissioner race

Leo Kingston has the most of the three Republicans seeking to be elected labor commissioner next year, according to their reports.

Through Sept. 30, the former state senator who served time in federal prison had $750,000 in his campaign, all from a personal loan.

Next is Cathy Costello, the widow of Labor Commissioner Mark Costello, who was fatally stabbed at an ice cream store in 2015. Through Sept. 30, she has loaned her campaign $275,050. She collected another $2,970 from donors.

Third is state Rep. Leslie Osborn, who reported raising $249,976 through Sept. 30.

In other races, Attorney General Mike Hunter reported raising $390,920 through Sept. 30 in his first election bid. Hunter, a Republican, became attorney general this year after Scott Pruitt was named administrator of the EPA.

GOP Commissioner Dana Murphy has raised the most of the candidates for lieutenant governor, $723,984 through Sept. 30,according to the latest reports. Most of that came from funds transferred from her dropped bid to be re-elected corporation commissioner. Next is former Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Matt Pinnell, who reported raising $472,253. through Sept. 30.