Sanders announces record quarterly campaign fundraising
by April 15, 2021 12:01 pm 1,094 views
photo courtesy KATV Ch. 7.
Arkansas gubernatorial candidate Sarah Huckabee Sanders has raised more than $4.8 million since announcing her bid for the office on Jan. 25. The tally includes more than $1.5 million from Arkansans, meaning a majority of campaign dollars come from outside the state.
The campaign on Thursday (April 15) reported more than 34,700 donors with an average donation of under $97, with 90% of donations being $100 or less, according to a statement from her campaign.
The campaign said the fundraising tally topped the record for the most money raised in a quarter by any campaign in Arkansas history.
“I am grateful for the generous support of so many Arkansans – in 60 days we held over 50 events in Arkansas and received more than 6,500 donations across all 75 counties of the state. Our message of limiting government and advancing education and opportunity is clearly resonating,” Sanders noted in the statement.
Sanders, former Trump White House press secretary and the daughter of former Gov. Mike Huckabee, faces Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge in the GOP gubernatorial primary.
Rutledge raised $153,000 for the primary and $44,000 for the general election during the first quarter. The Rutledge campaign reports a fundraising total of $1.232 million, with more than 80% coming from Arkansas donors. Rutledge noted Sanders’ reliance on outside donors for her large fundraising tally.
“I am always humbled by the continued financial support from voters all across the state; however, no amount of money can replace the experience, judgment, and proven record I have gained over the past six and half years making decisions on behalf of three million plus Arkansans every day. I remain committed to making Arkansas first and will always be more concerned about what is happening in Fort Smith, Jacksonville, Jonesboro and Pine Bluff rather than in New York and Florida,” Rutledge said in a statement.
Businesswoman and civic leader Supha Xayprasith-Mays (pronounced Sai-Pri-Sith-Maze) will seek the Democratic nomination for governor in 2022. The former Walmart exec announced her intentions to run March 26. James “Rus” Russell has also announced for the Democratic nomination for governor as has Anthony Bland, who ran for Lt. Governor in 2018.