Halter Raises $1 Million; Loans Campaign $640,000

Cook's Outlook

by Michael Cook ([email protected]) April 3, 2013 6:57 am 137 views 

On Wednesday (April 3), Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill Halter released fundraising figures revealing he raised over $1 million dollars for the first quarter of 2013.

However, Halter made a personal loan of $640,000 to his campaign, which means in the time frame of January 1 to March 31 of this year he raised $360,000 from various donors. Halter entered the Governor’s race on January 31st.

From Halter’s press release:

“It’s been an incredible 60 days, and I am profoundly grateful for the outpouring of support we’ve received from folks across our state,” said Halter. “Arkansas needs a leader, not a lobbyist, in the Governor’s mansion who will put forward genuine policy proposals that will help all Arkansans.”

Halter is required to file a campaign contribution report by April 15 for funds raised in the first quarter of 2013. Halter said his contributions will show money raised in February and March.

Halter’s release provided a breakout of some of the numbers:

  • Over $360,000 raised from more than 600 contributors
  • Over 500 contributions of $100 or less
  • $640,000 personal loan from Bill Halter
  • $1 million in financial commitments

On Monday Talk Business broke the news that former Congressman Mike Ross had resigned his private sector job in order to pursue “public service.” Ross has told sources that he’ll make a formal announcement for Governor in mid-April.

It appears that Democrats, unlike the Republicans, are going to have a vigorous primary next year with two prominent former elected officials contending for the nomination.

The complete Halter press release is below:

HALTER CAMPAIGN ALREADY PASSES THE $1 MILLION MARK
& HAS MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS
First Quarter Report Card Includes Record Grassroots Support

Little Rock – Former Lieutenant Governor Bill Halter has sprinted from the starting line of his campaign for Arkansas governor and now has passed the $1 million mark, has another $1 million in contribution commitments and more than 1,000 volunteers signed up from all 75 Arkansas counties.

“It’s been an incredible 60 days, and I am profoundly grateful for the outpouring of support we’ve received from folks across our state,” said Halter. “Arkansas needs a leader, not a lobbyist, in the Governor’s mansion who will put forward genuine policy proposals that will help all Arkansans.”

“Reporting $1 million is impressive, but signing up more than 1,000 people to volunteer in fewer than 60 days is literally unprecedented in Arkansas history,” said Halter advisor Bud Jackson. “Most candidates don’t have 1,000 volunteers at the end of the campaign, let alone at the beginning. Bill’s campaign is going to be the largest grassroots mobilization ever waged in Arkansas and a powerful force for Democrats who want to keep the governor’s mansion.”

The fundraising performance comes despite the first fundraising quarter (ending March 31st) being one-third shorter than average fundraising reporting periods because Halter did not enter the race until January 31st. Halter’s quarterly finance report will be filed with the Secretary of State’s office on or before the official April 15th deadline.

“With his long history of getting things done and his big ideas about how to create opportunity for families, it’s no wonder so many Arkansans are lining up for Bill — with their money and their time. Arkansans know a winner when they see one,” said Jackson. “Folks will have a clear choice between Washington style career politicians and lobbyists versus Bill Halter’s Arkansas Promise plan to provide college for every person who works for it and his real experience creating jobs.”

Halter for Arkansas by the numbers:

· $1 million+ in receipts

– Over $360,000 raised from more than 600 contributors

– Over 500 contributions of $100 or less

– $640,000 personal loan from Bill Halter

· An additional $1 million in pledged contributions

· More than 1,000 volunteers signed up representing all 75 Arkansas counties

· Endorsements from organizations representing over 25,000 Arkansas families: United Steelworkers, Communication Workers of America, the Teamsters, and United Food and Commercial Workers.

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