Eldridge, Curry lag rivals in fundraising

The two Democrats seeking to represent Arkansas on Capitol Hill are struggling to keep pace with their Republican opponents, according to quarterly reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

U.S. Senate candidate Conner Eldridge had $262,415.82 in contributions between April 1 and June 30, but spent $345,142.62, leaving him with $315,071.73 cash on hand. Eldridge, a Democrat, listed debts and obligations of $37,381.46, including $25,000 that he lent the campaign.

Eldridge, who is trying to unseat first-term Republican U.S. Sen. John Boozman, spent more money than he collected during the second quarter.

Boozman raised $531,613.28 during the same period, spent $281,631.28 and had cash on hand of $2,078,733.16.

Eldridge said much of Boozman's money is coming from out-of-state political action committees.

"He's an incumbent and he's going to have big Washington money behind him and I'm a challenger spending time burning up the roads in Arkansas and funded by individuals here in Arkansas," Eldridge said Monday, while driving between Fayetteville and Alma.

Although Boozman attended the Republican National Convention last week in Cleveland, Eldridge said he was skipping this week's Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia to focus on campaigning.

"I'm putting Arkansas and Arkansans above anybody else. I'm not interested in going to the convention," Eldridge said.

Boozman campaign manager Chris Caldwell said the contribution reports show that the senator has a statewide network of donors.

"Sen. Boozman has received donations from all 75 counties and has vast, widespread support," he said.

Eldridge's fundraising shows he has "failed to gain any traction," he added.

In the other race that Democrats are contesting, former Little Rock School Board member Dianne Curry raised $2,563.26 and spent $2,281.40, leaving her with $281.86.

Her opponent, U.S. Rep. French Hill of Little Rock, received $374,910.02, spent $111,102.70 and had cash on hand of $919,279.09.

"We have had a strong fundraising quarter," said Hill. "The support for my campaign fosters our campaign's plan to continue my work in Washington to keep Americans safe at home and abroad, grow our economy, and shift more power back to the states."

Curry said she's hopeful the pace will pick up this summer. "We've done a major mailer and we've got some other people that are working with us to help us fundraise," she said.

Although the other members of the all-Republican Arkansas congressional delegation have no Democratic challengers, they're still raising money.

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, who doesn't face re-election until 2020, received $203,169.73, spent $161,178.64 and had cash on hand equaling $221,745.40. He also reported debts and obligations totaling $131,512.45.

First District U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford raised $48,860.00, spent $40,147.66 and had cash on hand of $371,800.29.

Third District U.S. Rep. Steve Womack had contributions of $126,078.13, spent $48,238.81 and had cash on hand of $1,150,983.72.

Fourth District U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman had contributions of $101,091.00, spent $50,409.46 and had cash on hand of $315,497.59.

Metro on 07/27/2016

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