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Non-incumbents have edge in raising funds
Atlanta
Apr. 8, 2006 -
Morris News Service, Augusta Chronicle and Athens Banner-Herald - Thanks to election-year maneuvering and software issues, many statewide campaigns weren't sharing Friday how much they raised during the quarter that ended March 31.
But even some of candidates and their aides were openly saying they didn't expect numbers to be particularly high for those who are running for office from statewide positions.
That's because state elected officials are barred from raising money during the legislative session.
That means that candidates already in Georgia government only had a few days before the session, and one day after it, to seek out funding during the quarter that just ended.
Gainesville Republican state Sen. Casey Cagle's campaign for lieutenant governor bragged about raising $100,000 the day after the session. But that total was pretty much it for the quarter, spokesman Brad Alexander said.
"We really had, in effect, one day to raise money," Alexander said, pointing out that many of the days before the session began in January were close to New Year's festivities. "There wasn't really much (fundraising) going on then."
State Sen. Brian Kemp, an Athens Republican who's running for agriculture commissioner, said the campaign still was crunching the numbers Friday evening. The reports were due at midnight.
"There's no question, from a fundraising standpoint, we were at a disadvantage," he said.
But Kemp said he thought the legislation he worked on during the session would help him build his record and support as the campaign rolled along.
One of Kemp's opponents for the GOP nomination, farmer trade-association executive Gary Black, raised more than $100,000 in the quarter that ended. Black said he thought the numbers indicated rising support, but conceded there was likely an edge to being able to raise money while Kemp was tied up.
"We took advantage of the opportunity, no doubt," Black said.
Shyam Reddy, a Democratic candidate for secretary of state, announced raising more than $150,000.
He said the legislative prohibition might have played a role, but he pointed out that only the Republican side of the race had a candidate affected by the ban, state Sen. Bill Stephens, R-Canton.
"I think Bill not being able to raise money really benefited Karen (Handel)," Reddy said, referring to the Fulton County chairwoman who is Stephens' chief rival.
Neither Stephens nor Handel had released figures by Friday.
One of Reddy's opponents, Scott Holcomb, said he had raised a total of $100,000 since November, much of that in small donations.
"These donors will lead our campaign to victory because they are passionate in their support of this campaign," Holcomb said.
Other candidates were left shuffling for advantage as they released news of their fundraising efforts.
Former legislator Greg Hecht, running for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, announced he had topped $1 million total. His main rival and fellow former legislator, Jim Martin, said he'd raised $167,127 this quarter, for a total of $764,098.
By Brandon Larrabee
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