Governor raises $800,000 for re-election so far

Gov. Asa Hutchinson raised more than $800,000 for his re-election campaign during his first event Jan. 5, his chief political strategist said Wednesday.

That event was a casual reception at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock attended by more than 400 people, said Jon Gilmore with Gilmore Strategy Group. Attendees could pay $500, $2,700 or $5,400.

Gilmore said Hutchinson will not do any fundraising while the Legislature is in session, and nothing is currently scheduled. The date for a formal announcement of his re-election campaign has not been set.

Hutchinson’s campaign finance report for the fourth quarter of 2016 showed “Asa for Governor 2018” raised $281,200 for his re-election bid: $224,000 for the primary election and $57,200 for the general election. Marie Holder, a former Republican Party of Arkansas executive director, is listed as the treasurer.

Gilmore said most of the funds arrived the week before the event and the day it occurred. The next quarterly report in April will reveal more than $800,000 in funds raised.

The campaign spent $19,532.80 during the fourth quarter – the largest expense, $15,637.94, for consultant fees.

In other offices:

– Attorney General Leslie Rutledge reported raising $22,700 in the quarter for her re-election campaign and raising $94,550 overall.

– Lt. Governor Tim Griffin earlier had reported raising $196,150 overall, including $155,500 in the quarter, for his primary election bid. He raised $36,000 in the quarter and $49,500 overall for the general election.

– Land Commissioner John Thurston reported raising $14,925.82 for his campaign to be secretary of state. The current secretary of state, Mark Martin, is term-limited and cannot run for re-election.

Tommy Land of Heber Springs, who is running for land commissioner, reported raising $6,010 for the primary election, including $2,700 in loans from himself.