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Top 10 fundraisers in the Alabama legislature

Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur
Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur

The most recent campaign finance reports filed with the Secretary of State show Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, with by far the largest campaign war chest of any Alabama state legislator. Orr has over $100,000 more cash on hand than the next biggest fundraiser, Sen. Slade Blackwell, R-Mountain Brook.

“We’ve worked hard at local fundraising and people have graciously responded,” Sen. Orr told Yellowhammer Monday afternoon. “With almost 500 donors, I’m grateful for the support but we’re going to continue working. You can’t control a lot of things in politics. But at this stage in an election cycle it is important do everything you can to prepare for a contested campaign — and that includes fundraising.”

Here are some other interesting nuggets Yellowhammer found while combing through the reports:

  • Republican incumbents in the Senate have a total of just over $2 million cash on hand.
  • Republican incumbents in the House have right at $1.6 million cash on hand.
  • Sen. Roger Bedford has by far the most cash of any Democrat at north of $234k. House Minority Leader Craig Ford is next at just over $100,000. No other Democrat cracked 6-figures.
  • Rep. Paul DeMarco would have made the list with $247,000 cash on hand, but he has opted to run for U.S. Congress. None of his state campaign money can be used for that race.

Numbers below reflect cash-on-hand, not total money raised.

  1. Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur — $380,721
  2. Sen. Slade Blackwell, R-Mountain Brook — $274,166
  3. Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville — $234,115.42
  4. Rep. Jim McClendon, R-Springville — $174,180
  5. Rep. Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn — $171,223
  6. Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper — $157,342
  7. Sen. Tom Whatley, R-Auburn — $149,932
  8. Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark — $134,864
  9. Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman — $130,199
  10. Sen. Jabo Waggoner, R-Vestavia Hills — $125,436

Follow Cliff on Twitter @Cliff_Sims

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