Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Ross outraised his Republican opponent by more than $30,000 in July, according to campaign finance reports filed Friday with the secretary of state's office.
The two candidates combined spent nearly $1.5 million on television advertising leading up to the November elections.
Most candidates for state offices filed the monthly reports, which list campaign contributions, loans and expenses.
Ross, a former 4th District congressman, reported raising $306,660 between July 1 and July 31. He reported spending $1.2 million during that period, including $1.1 million on television advertising, leaving $343,649.
Dustin Smith, Ross' deputy campaign manager for finance, said the airtime was purchased to "secure a strong media presence in the last nine weeks of the campaign, and the money we raise from this point forward will help strengthen and expand that buy."
"Because of the outpouring of support Mike has received from all over Arkansas, we have now raised more than $5 million so far in this campaign, and our strong fundraising allows us to continue organizing aggressive media buys and historic get-out-the-vote operations as we approach Election Day," Smith said in a statement.
Republican candidate Asa Hutchinson, a former 3rd District congressman, reported raising $275,995 during the same period. He reported spending $485,452, including $388,468 on television advertising, leaving $828,972.
Hutchinson campaign manager Jon Gilmore said Hutchinson is "well-positioned" to win the election.
"We're excited to be in a strong position for the final months of the campaign, and I'm confident that we have the resources necessary to win. Those resources go directly to sharing Asa's plan for Arkansas's future, which is a plan of job creation, economic growth and new opportunities through innovation," Gilmore said.
Lieutenant Governor
Republican 2nd District U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin of Little Rock reported raising $76,579 and spending $24,293 in his bid for lieutenant governor. That raised his total contributions to $691,348 and his spending to $305,776, leaving $385,571.
Democratic candidate John Burkhalter of Little Rock reported raising $42,500 and spending $307,234, including $164,000 on television advertising in his lieutenant governor campaign. His total contributions increased to $849,506, his spending to $792,392 and his loans remained at $55,000, leaving $111,148.
Attorney General
State Rep. Nate Steel, D-Nashville, reported raising $70,000 and spending $34,553 in July. That raised his total contributions in the attorney general's race to $381,533 and his spending to $74,568, leaving $306,964.
Republican candidate Leslie Rutledge of Little Rock reported raising $109,648 and spending $20,233 between June 11 and July 31. That boosted her total contributions to $467,792 and spending to $427,078, leaving $95,977.
Rutledge's reporting period covered more time because it was the first general election report required after the Republican primary runoff for the attorney general's seat in June.
Secretary of State
Democratic candidate Susan Inman of Little Rock reported raising $10,165 and spending $3,786 to run for secretary of state. That increased her total contributions to $76,511 and her spending to $47,024, leaving $29,487.
Republican incumbent Mark Martin of Prairie Grove reported raising $7,850 and spending $350. That boosted his total contributions in the race to $50,125 and his spending to $14,121, leaving $36,003.
Treasurer
Republican Dennis Milligan of Benton reported raising $15,750 in the treasurer's race, spending $11,993 and getting a loan of $402. His total contributions rose to $121,205, spending to $144,553 and loans to $47,585, leaving $24,237.
Democratic treasurer candidate Karen Garcia of Hot Springs reported raising $14,537, spending $775 and getting a loan of $706. That increased her total contributions to $60,847, her spending to $12,680 and her loans to $17,178, leaving $65,345.
Auditor
State Rep. Andrea Lea, R-Russellville, reported raising $11,763 and spending $3,514 in her bid to become auditor. That boosted her total contributions to $14,860 and her spending to $3,588, leaving $20,700.
Democratic auditor candidate Regina Hampton of Little Rock reported raising $3,620 and spending $4,277. Hampton's contributions increased to $41,385 and her spending to $34,195, leaving $50,679.
Land Commissioner
Republican incumbent John Thurston of Little Rock reported raising $8,675, getting a loan for $566 and spending $4,366 in his campaign for land commissioner. That raised his total contributions to $33,262, his loans to $1,142 and his spending to $20,444, leaving $13,959.
Democratic candidate Mark Robertson of Little Rock reported raising $8,425 and spending $1,816 in the land commissioner's campaign. That boosted his total contributions to $34,205, his spending to $11,905 and kept his loans remaining at $6,100, leaving $28,405.
Metro on 08/16/2014