Sanders releases campaign finance report
For her 2026 primary reelection campaign, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders raised $150,598.18 in campaign contributions and spent $196,178.41 during the quarter that ended March 31, according to her latest campaign finance report.
Contributors of $3,300 during the quarter to the Republican governor’s reelection campaign for the primary included David Haak of Texarkana; George Thomas of Elkhart, Ind.; the Susan B. Anthony Inc. Candidate Fund of Arlington, Va.; and Martin Eggensperger of Pocahontas, the governor’s report shows.
Sanders’ reported expenses last quarter for the primary included $94,972.26 for direct mail, $56,050 for consultant fees and $10,059.07 for “other advertising.”
Last quarter’s figures increased the total amount she has raised in campaign contributions to $1.003 million for the 2026 primary and the total amount spent to $1.223 million, the governor reported Monday in a report filed with the secretary of state’s office.
She reported a campaign treasury for the 2026 primary at $2.377 million on March 31. At the end of December 2022, she reported about $2.9 million in remaining campaign funds from her successful 2022 general election campaign. Act 737 of 2021 allows candidates to maintain remaining campaign funds after an election and use them to run for election or reelection.
In the quarter that ended March 31, the governor also raised $3,950 for the 2026 general election to increase the total amount raised for that general election to $8,850, leaving that much in her campaign treasury March 31.
During the last quarter, Attorney General Tim Griffin reported raising $33,931.78 in contributions and spending $78,733.49 for his 2026 reelection primary campaign.
Griffin reported receiving $3,300 in contributions last quarter for his primary campaign from Base Point PAC of Marianna; Seth Schaumburg of River Ridge, La.; Jeanne Schaumburg of River Ridge, La.; James Dugan of New Orleans; Anthony Irpino of New Orleans; and Patrick Schmidt of Temecula, Calif.
Last quarter’s figures increased the total amount the Republican attorney general has raised to $944,463.73 for the 2026 primary election and his total expenses to $364,130.36, leaving a campaign treasury of $580,333.37 on March 31. These figures include Griffin’s remaining campaign funds of $797,839.18 at the end of December 2022 from his successful 2022 general election campaign.
Last quarter, Griffin also reported raising $19,600 in contributions for the 2026 general election to increase his total contributions received for the 2026 general election to $32,800, leaving $32,800 in the bank as of March 31. Griffin reported that the $3,300 contributors last quarter for the general election included Base Point PAC of Marianna; Seth Schaumburg of River Ridge, La.; Jeanne Schaumburg of River Ridge, La.; and Anthony Irpino of New Orleans.
PACS
Sanders’ political action committee raised $20,000 in contributions and made $46,200 in contributions to candidates for the Legislature and state treasurer during the quarter that ended March 31, according to the committee’s latest campaign finance report filed this week with the secretary of state’s office.
After factoring in $1,986.86 in administrative expenses last quarter, the committee reported a balance of $193,304.82 on March 31.
The last quarter is the second quarter in which Sanders’ political action committee, called Team SHS PAC, filed a campaign finance report.
Former Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s political action committee is Asa PAC and former Gov. Mike Huckabee’s political action committee is Huckabee PAC.
According to a report filed Monday, Team SHS PAC last quarter received a $10,000 contribution from David Parker of Little Rock and $5,000 contributions apiece from AT&T of St. Louis and Jerry Langley Oil Company LLC of Smackover.
The governor’s PAC reported contributing $3,300 apiece last quarter for the primary election to Republican state treasurer nominee John Thurston, who is the secretary of state; and Republican state Reps. Steven Walker of Horseshoe Bend; Keith Brooks of Little Rock; David Ray of Maumelle; Brit McKenzie of Rogers; Mindy McAlindon of Centerton; DeAnna Hodges of Springdale; Steven Unger of Springdale; Joey Carr of Blytheville; Carlton Wing of North Little Rock; Karilyn Brown of Sherwood; John Carr of Rogers; and Mark McElroy of Tillar.
Team SHS PAC also reported contributing $3,300 last quarter to Republican House candidate Arnetta Bradford of Hope for the primary runoff election.
The PAC reported contributing $3,300 to Bradford for the primary and $3,300 for the general election in the fourth quarter of last year. In the April 2 Republican runoff, Bradford lost to Dolly Henley of Washington.
Six of the seven Republican candidates whom Sanders and her PAC supported in contested Republican primary races won in the March 5 primary.
The six candidates who won were Sens. David Wallace of Leachville and Steve Crowell of Magnolia and Reps. Fran Cavenaugh of Walnut Ridge and House candidates Robert Thorne Jr. of Marion and Jason Nazarenko of Cotter as well as Walker.
Griffin’s political action committee raised $144,300 in contributions last quarter and $29,350 in contributions to candidates for the Legislature and county offices, the committee’s latest report shows.
After factoring in $87,844.38 in administrative expenses, including $25,000 to Arkansas Right to Life for a sponsorship last quarter, the Jobs and Growth PAC reported a balance of $62,578.69 on March 31.
During the last quarter, Griffin’s Jobs and Growth PAC reported receiving $10,000 campaign contributions apiece from Fantasy Sports Operator Coalition of Arlington, Va.; Cozen O’Connor of Philadelphia; Cossich, Sumich, Parisola & Taylor of Belle Chase, Ark.; Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC of Washington, D.C.; FFF Enterprises of Temecula, Calif.; and Anthony Gelderman of New York.
Last quarter, the Jobs and Growth PAC reported making $3,300 contributions to Rep. Jeff Wardlaw, R-Hermitage; Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs; Sen. Mark Johnson, R-Ferndale; and Reps. Hodges and Brooks. The PAC reported $1,000 contributions last quarter to Sen. Jim Dotson, R-Bentonville; Sen. Matt Stone, R-Camden; Rep. Wade Andrews, R-Camden; and Rep. Walker; and $500 contributions to Rep. Joey Carr, R-Blytheville, and Rep. McKenzie.
The PAC last quarter also reported a $3,300 contribution to Benton County prosecutor candidate Phillip Sexton of Bentonville; a $3,050 contribution to district judge candidate Jill Kamps of Little Rock, and $250 contributions apiece to Saline County Justices of the Peace Barbara Howell of Alexander, Everette Hatcher of Alexander, Carlton Billingsly of Bryant, Justin Rue of Bryant, Ed Albares of Benton, and C.J. Engle of Benton.