While the race for governor continues to haul in record-setting levels of cash, the statewide races further down the ballot have seen their own fair share of donations as candidates gear up for what promises to be a whirlwind final stretch heading into the May 22nd. primary. With the end of the latest financial period coming on January 31st, the latest round of disclosures can give us an early look into the state of the campaigns.
In the race for Lt. Governor it is still state Senator David Shafer who leads the way, hauling in almost $650,000 in the period and accumulating a war chest of just over $1.5 million. That number sets him up nicely for the post-session stretch run as he looks to turn his financial advantage into a lead at the polls.
Former state Rep. Geoff Duncan reported $391,000 for the period, with $250,000 of that coming as a personal loan. With $516,000 left in the bank though, the former baseball player has the funds to make a splash.
Former state Sen. Rick Jeffares, who like Duncan gave up his seat to focus on the campaign, raised a similar $350,000 in the cycle, with $421,000 still on hand.
For the Democrats Sarah Riggs Amico appears to be a legitimate candidate, (if a bit of an unknown) raising some $300,000 in the cycle and sitting on just over $200,000.
The Secretary of State’s race appears more evenly matched, with several GOP candidates boasting similar hauls and a Democratic frontrunner with name recognition to go along with some serious experience.
State Senator Josh McKoon, the Conservative darling believed by many to be the Republican favorite, brought in just under $200,000 in the cycle, leaving him with $150,000 on hand.
State Rep. Buzz Brockway, likewise hard at work at the State Capitol, reported $60,000 for the period with just under that amount left in his campaign account. His colleague in the House, Rep. Brad Raffensperger, hauled in $93,000 and has $77,000 on hand.
Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle reported $58,000, with a hefty war chest of $148,000 remaining.
On the other side of the aisle it is former U.S. Congressman John Barrow who leads the pack, bringing in a whopping $340,000 in the period, leaving him with $236,000 on hand. The moderate Democrat has name recognition and a long track record in Peach State politics, making him perhaps the most dangerous candidate for the left anywhere on the ballot running in the cycle.
More to come as we take the temperature of some of the other races going on around the state.
