WASHINGTON - The two Arkansans competing for a U.S. Senate seat this year entered 2014 with a combined $6.4 million in the bank.
Millions already have been spent on the race between incumbent U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, a Democrat, and U.S. Rep. Tom Cotton, a Republican.
National political parties and special interest groups have particular interest in the race, seen as one of six Republicans need to win to reclaim majority control in the Senate.
Campaign finance reportsfor the last three months of 2013 were due Friday.
Cotton’s report shows he started the reporting period with $1.8 million. The Dardanelle Republican raised $1.2 million and spent $815,701. He ended the year with $2.2 million.
Pryor’s report shows he started the reporting period with $4.4 million. He raised $1.1 million in the fourth quarter and had $4.2 million.
House candidates also filed reports, including most of the 11 candidates who have announced they plan to seek one of Arkansas’ four seats. For many, it was their first finance report.
Four candidates have announced bids for the 2nd Congressional District in central Arkansas since U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin announced in the fall he would not seek another term.
State Rep. Ann Clemmer, R-Benton, raised $103,356 and spent $3,222. She has $100,134.
Republican French Hill of Little Rock raised $570,114 and spent $39,139. He finished the year with $530,975.
Republican Conrad Reynolds of Conway raised $7,695 and spent $473.17. He finished the year with $7,223.
Former North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Hays is the only Democrat who has announced a run for the seat.He raised $229,497 and spent $18,573. Hays had $210,924 at the end of the year.
Two Democrats and two Republicans have said they plan to seek the 4th District seat in southern Arkansas currently held by Cotton.
Republican businessman Tommy Moll of Hot Springs began the cycle with $266,963. He raised $142,577 and spent $51,248. He had $358,292 on hand at the end of the year.
State Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Hot Springs, started the reporting period with $98,561. He raised $107,074 and spent $50,643. He had $154,992 at year’s end.
Democratic candidate James Lee Witt, a former director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, raised $243,946 and spent $77,552. He reported $166,394 at the end of the year.
Democrat Janis Percefull, aHot Springs teacher, had not submitted her report as of Friday evening.
U.S. Rep. Steve Womack raised $148,972 and spent $54,400. The Rogers Republican finished the cycle with $699,686.
Thomas Brewer, a math teacher at Northwest Arkansas Classical Academy in Bentonville, plans to challenge Womack for the Republican nomination. He raised $7,670 and spent $6,560. He had $1,070 left at the end of the year.
Troy Gittings, an English teacher at Bentonville High School, who had planned to seek the Democratic nomination said Friday he is no longer running.
U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford started the reporting cycle with $306,328. He raised $86,685 and spent $59,387. The Jonesboro Republican ended the period with $333,626. No opponent has declared for the east Arkansas district.
Northwest Arkansas, Pages 9 on 02/01/2014