Republican Brian Kemp collected about $1.2 million this fundraising period, amassing roughly $2.9 million from 2,400 donors since he jumped in the race last year. He reported Wednesday he has $2.1 million of that cash haul on hand.
The secretary of state is gunning to be the primary challenger to Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, who has emerged as the presumptive GOP frontrunner and fundraising leader. Both have multiple statewide elections under their belts and strong name recognition.
But he’s facing competition from three other Republicans in the hunt to replace Gov. Nathan Deal in November. Two of them – former state Sen. Hunter Hill and business executive Clay Tippins – have already launched TV ads.
Kemp, an Athens businessman, is running on a “Georgia First” platform in hopes of locking down rural Georgia. He announced a bus tour later this month to visit 50 counties in 10 days.
Two Democrats – former House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams and ex-state Rep. Stacey Evans – are also in the race.
Read more: Candidates in Georgia’s 2018 races are raking in cash. Here’s the latest tally.
