Gov. Nathan Deal and Democratic challenger Jason Carter had a busy few weeks before the start of this year's legislative session.
Deal's campaign said he raised $319,000 in cash and another $3,000 in in-kind contributions between New Year's Day and Jan. 13, when the General Assembly gaveled itself in. Those two weeks are crucial, as Deal is banned from raising campaign funds during the session. The governor now has about $4.3 million cash on hand.
Carter, who is also restricted from raising money during the session, said he raised about $150,000 in the last two weeks before the session and has amassed $1.36 million in his campaign coffers since he entered the race in November. Altogether, the total cost of the governor's race is already nearing $10 million.
Deal is preparing for the May 20 GOP contest against state Superintendent John Barge and Dalton Mayor David Pennington. Both have significant fundraising challenges. Pennington reported raising just above $4,400 for the month and has $200,000 in the bank. Barge raised about $21,000, including $500 from schools accreditation guru Mark Elgart. He had just $26,000 on hand.
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