The Bentley campaign’s first campaign finance disclosures of the 2014 election cycle show the governor raked in an impressive $433,500 in cash contributions during his first month of fundraising. The campaign currently has $544,877.66 in cash on hand.
“Governor Bentley is very pleased with the direction of his re-election campaign. The amount of money he’s raised in such a short amount of time is a response to what he’s been able to accomplish in his first three years in office,” campaign spokesperson Rebekah Mason told Yellowhammer Tuesday night.
Mason attributed much of Bentley’s fundraising success to his track record of attracting new jobs to the state, as well as his efforts to shrink the size of state government.
“He’s worked hard to recruit over 40,000 new jobs and he’s reduced the size of state government, all without raising taxes,” Mason said.
Poll after poll has shown Bentley to be a popular incumbent, but questions about his fundraising ability have lingered in political circles — mainly because of the shoestring campaign he waged as a major underdog in 2010. The Governor has had recent successes in the fundraising arena, most notably the marketing pushes behind several ballot initiatives he supported. But this month’s campaign haul will go a long way toward putting to bed any remaining questions about his ability to raise big money as a statewide candidate.
State candidates have a clear fundraising advantage over federal candidates because there is no limit to the amount and individual donor can give to a state campaign. With that in mind, the first $1 million or so will likely be low-hanging fruit for Governor Bentley.
On the flip side, some major donors who have made significant contributions to statewide campaigns in the past may be waiting for the cap on corporate donations to be lifted on August 1 so they can make their contribution through their company instead. That will be something worth watching. A campaign finance reform bill passed on the final day of the 2013 session included a provision lifting the $500 limit on corporate donations.
Keeping with Governor Bentley’s low-key style, his spokesperson characterized the campaign’s fundraising success as an unfortunate but necessary part of winning elections.
“Unfortunately it costs money to run a campaign,” Rebekah Mason said, “but Governor Bentley knows that raising money is necessary for him to be able to share his message that he’s sincere about helping create well-paying jobs for the people of this state and wants to continue that work.”
What else is going on?
1. Did the Huntsville Stars and Minor League Baseball cave to liberal pressure?
2. PSC approves rate and revenue reductions for Mobile Gas
3. Alabama ‘Stand your ground’ law remains in spotlight
4. Secretary of State Beth Chapman resigning
5. House Republicans push for ‘all-of-the-above’ energy policy
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