Filings show cash raised by State Rep. Clarke Tucker outpaces U.S. Rep. French Hill

Clarke Tucker (left) and French Hill
Clarke Tucker (left) and French Hill

WASHINGTON -- State Rep. Clarke Tucker, the Democrat challenging U.S. Rep. French Hill, raised more money than his Republican opponent or any other Arkansas congressional candidate during the first 17 days of October, according to documents filed Thursday with the Federal Election Commission.

The state legislator from Little Rock reported net contributions of $265,018 on his pre-election report. His opponent, the two-term incumbent from Little Rock, raised $174,499 during the same period.

Both men are vying to represent the state's 2nd Congressional District, which includes Pulaski County and much of central Arkansas.

Tucker reported spending $351,669 and had cash on hand of $143,833. Hill spent $1,058,837, leaving him with $529,730 as of Oct. 17.

In a written statement, Tucker campaign spokesman Graham Senor said the latest figures are encouraging.

"We are so grateful for the outpouring of support we have seen in this race. We know it's what will carry us through Election Day. Congressman Hill may have his special-interest backers, but we have the people of central Arkansas, and we're ready for change," he said.

In a written statement, Hill campaign manager John Grove also portrayed the numbers as favorable.

"On top of rising in the polls while his opponent slumps, this is yet another indication that Congressman Hill's record of results and message of lower taxes, smaller government, and a growing economy are still building momentum as voters head to the polls," he said.

Federal law requires candidates who have raised or spent at least $5,000 to file campaign finance reports 12 days before the election. This year the election is on Nov. 6.

Individual donations of $1,000 or more that have been received since Oct. 17 must be reported to the Federal Election Commission within 48 hours.

For Hill, the commission had posted one such report dated Tuesday, listing contributions of $26,500, and another dated Thursday, showing an additional $13,900.

Tucker was listed as filing a 48-hour notice on Saturday, showing $9,200 in contributions. On Tuesday, he reported another $13,200.

In an interview, University of Arkansas political science professor Janine Parry said she isn't surprised that the central Arkansas race is attracting donors.

The Federal Election Commission reports suggest that "in Arkansas, at least in that district, you've got a lot of really motivated Democrats who are looking for some victory somewhere," she said.

"The 2nd District showed signs early on of being the only one that was relatively competitive in Arkansas in the new Republican-dominant landscape," she said. For Democrats, "it's one that is not out of reach."

The 2nd District hasn't had a Democrat in Congress since U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder left office in January 2011. But the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has targeted the race this year.

A Talk Business & Politics-Hendrix College poll, conducted Oct. 17-18, showed Hill leading 52 percent to 40 percent, with 2 percent favoring Libertarian Joe Swafford and 7 percent undecided. The survey of 590 likely voters had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.

Previous polls had also shown Hill ahead, though by narrower margins. The Cook Political Report, which ranks congressional races, lists the 2nd District as "Lean Republican." The website FiveThirtyEight.com has categorized it as "Likely Republican."

Both sides have classified the other three Arkansas congressional seats as "Solid" Republican.

In those races, the Republican incumbents all easily outraised their Democratic challengers during the past reporting period.

In the 4th District, which includes southwest Arkansas, Pine Bluff and a sparsely populated slice of Northwest Arkansas, U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman raised $49,170 and spent $129,478 between Oct. 1 and Oct. 17. The Republican from Hot Springs had $958,378 in his campaign coffers as of Oct. 17. Democratic challenger Hayden Shamel, a teacher from Hot Springs, raised $7,831 and had expenditures totaling $8,803. Her campaign finished the period with $23,048.

Third District U.S. Rep. Steve Womack raised $40,750 during the same reporting period. The Republican from Rogers, whose district includes most of Northwest Arkansas' Interstate 49 corridor as well as other, less populated areas in the region, spent $35,170. His campaign reported cash on hand of nearly $1.2 million.

His Democratic opponent, Josh Mahony of Fayetteville, raised $17,788 and spent $23,716, leaving him with $9,459. The Mahony campaign also reported debts and obligations totaling $46,666.

In the 1st District, which covers northeast Arkansas and a string of counties bordering the Mississippi River, U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford raised $25,387 during the period and spent $27,075, leaving his campaign with cash on hand of $467,067. The Jonesboro Republican's Democratic challenger, educator Chintan Desai of Helena-West Helena, reported contributions of $9,671 and expenditures of $9,431, leaving his campaign with $25,998.

Since Oct. 17, the incumbents have continued to raise funds. Westerman filed 48-hour notices disclosing two donations totaling $2,500. Womack reported three contributions totaling $6,200. Crawford reported a $2,000 donation.

Campaign-finance reports had not been posted Thursday evening for Libertarian nominees Elvis Presley of Star City (1st District); Swafford of Maumelle (2nd District); Michael Kalagias of Rogers (3rd District); and Tom Canada of Scranton (4th District).

Office seekers who raise and spend less than $5,000 are not required to file.

Metro on 10/26/2018

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