McDaniel’s fundraising stays on roll

On same day he admits affair, $17,300 collected

— Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel reported raising more than $400,000 for his campaign for governor in the last quarter of 2012, a time that was marked by his revelation that he had an inappropriate relationship with a Hot Springs attorney.

McDaniel admitted to the relationship with Andrea Davis on Dec. 18 and raised $17,300 from 33 donors the same day, according to campaign-finance reports filed Tuesday.

“The story had no appreciable impact on fundraising,” McDaniel said through a spokesman Tuesday.

The reporting period was from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, during which McDaniel raised $410,527.45.

Between the announcement and the end of the reporting period, McDaniel raised $43,500 from 30 donors, according to his primary and primary-runoff campaign-finance reports.

McDaniel, the only announced Democratic gubernatorial candidate, has raised $1,436,526 for the 2014 election and has $1,099,374.21 cash on hand.

During the past quarter, McDaniel reported spending $198,626.80, including $56,567.71 for campaign staff, $30,724.51 on consultant fees and $29,262.01 on fundraising, his three largest expenditures.

He incorporated Dustin McDaniel for Governor Inc. in June. Before becoming attorney general in 2006, McDaniel represented the Jonesboro area in the House for one term. He filed for divorce from his first wife, Amanda, shortly after becoming attorney general. He married his second wife, Bobbi McDaniel, in 2009.

McDaniel’s contributors during the filing period include county judges, sheriffs, physicians, attorneys, homemakers and at least three mayors.

Former Lt. Gov. Bill Halter, a potential rival for the Democratic nomination for governor, is still paying off the debt he accrued in his 2006 race for lieutenant governor, according to campaign-finance reports filed on Tuesday.

Halter’s campaign had a total debt of $119,974.09 between the primary, primary runoff and general elections, the reports state.

The debt grew by $3,150 during the reporting period after the campaign spent on rent and “database management,” according to reports.

Halter’s spokesman Bud Jackson said the former lieutenant governor has been working to reduce the debt since 2006, but it is not a priority because it is a personal debt.

“He’s been reducing it since [the campaign] and he’ll continue to do that,” Jackson said.

Gov. Mike Beebe filed a report on carry-over funds Friday showing he has $61,963.68 left from his 2010 re-election campaign. Beebe is serving his second and final term. He has said he doesn’t intend to run for federal office.

The governor reported an initial balance at the beginning of the reporting period of $67,998.09. He made $6,034.41 in expenditures during the quarter, including $3,342.89 for Christmas cards, according to the filings.

The other expenditures were for postage and donations.

Quarterly reports were due Tuesday for all candidates not on the ballot in 2012. Reports can be postmarked or faxed by the due date and still be considered on time.

Arkansas, Pages 7 on 01/16/2013

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