Mike Ross Makes Eye-popping Benchmarks

CANDIDATES’ ROAD REWARD ALSO MATTERS

Last week, what many of the pundits of the upcoming 2014 election cycle predicted, former Congressman Mike Ross of Prescott, the Democratic front-runner for the gubernatorial nomination, broke an Arkansas political fundraising record.

And not just any record, but the record of the state’s most popular governor of the last 20 years, Gov. Mike Beebe.

Ross, who has been crisscrossing the state at a very swift pace, didn’t just break the record, he smashed the previous mark of $1.2 million by almost $700,000.

It may take a deep trip down into “the weeds” of that campaign fundraising filing itself, but Ross also made some other eye-popping benchmarks worth noting.

First, he listed contributors in all 75 of Arkansas’ counties. That is no easy feat. Many candidates will struggle in the 14 months left to have any type of fundraising effort of this magnitude, much less, visit some of the far reaching counties outside northwest and central Arkansas. Ross, remember, as a 4th District Congressman, had roughly 29 of the state’s 75 counties and almost one-third of the state’s land mass as a six-term congressman.

Next, Ross listed a fair share of women donors (something that his in-party opponents were whispering he would not be able to do). Many of these female donors gave, albeit any male donor connection, i.e. not just a husband/wife connection.

Thirdly, Ross filed his report (by his campaign staff ) on time, correctly; and, lastly, it appears, Ross raised his cash with few, (less than 10 percent) outside or out of state contributions.

But also last week, others in the gubernatorial race (from both parties) filed their reports.

Some did better than others.

Republican gubernatorial front-runner and former Congressman Asa Hutchinson of Rogers, raised $370,000 in the last quarter, bringing his total of $649,168 in the bank.

Neither Ross nor Hutchinson list any personal loans on this campaign finance reporting form. The other three candidates in the race have each listed personal loans.

Democratic challenger Bill Halter of North Little Rock, former lieutenant governoer, listed a $640,000 personal loan in his report. Halter has raised $102,900 in the last quarter which leaves him with $979,846 in the bank.

Little Rock businessman Curtis Coleman has also loaned his campaign for the GOP gubernatorial race, $25,000, which is included in the $101,714 he has on hand for the race to date. Coleman raised $76,714 in the last quarter.

State Rep. Debra M. Hobbs of Rogers, the latest entry into the GOP gubernatorial sweepstakes, had a $7,125.29 carry-over from left over funds from her last state house run, added to her campaign. She also loaned her campaign $50,000. Rep. Hobbs has raised $12,715.29 during the previous quarter and has expenses of $5,667.62, leaving a bank balance of $57,047.67.

All these numbers do matter. What also matters is the road record of the candidates.