Senate-seeking Rep. Jack Kingston today reported raising $1.6 million in a two-month span, while businessman David Perdue nearly kept pace by chipping in another half a million from his personal wealth.
Pre-runoff fundraising reports for Georgia's big federal races are due today, covering May 1 through July 2.
Kingston spent $1.74 million in the closing weeks of the Republican primary and opening weeks of the runoff, leaving him with $1.16 million in the bank. Perdue raised $974,000 from others and loaned himself $500,000. He spent $1.15 million and finished with $783,000 on hand -- both numbers considerably less than Kingston.
A whopping $508,000 of Kingston's haul came from political action committees. Kingston had less than $400,000 from PACs in his first year in the race, so the D.C. crowd is indeed opening up its wallets for the runoff now that Kingston is the last congressman standing. Perdue culled just $10,000 from PACs.
The full campaign finance report won't be posted for a couple of days so we can't see all of the donors yet. Democrat Michelle Nunn's haul is not due until next week, as she is not in a runoff.
11th Congressional District
Barry Loudermilk considerably outraised Bob Barr, but Barr had more cash on hand for the final three weeks of the runoff -- with an assist from his own bank account.
Loudermilk, a former state senator from Cassville, raised $285,528, spent $239,946 and had $135,463 on hand. Barr, a former Congressman from Smyrna, raised $154,394, put in $40,283 of his own money, spent $122,156 and had $168,669 on hand.
10th Congressional District
Jody Hice outraised Mike Collins but they have about the same amount of cash available for the final sprint.
Hice, a minister from Monroe who's raised eyebrows with some past statements on Muslims, women and gays, raised $191,512, donated $1,844 to himself, spent $158,005 and had $74,428 on hand.
Collins, a trucking executive from Jackson and son of former Rep. Mac Collins, raised $134,001, loaned himself $25,000, spent $192,553 and had $77,260 on hand. Collins' personal contribution to the campaign now stands at $176,000.
First Congressional District
On the Republican side, Buddy Carter was the leader.
Carter raised $319,168, loaned himself $50,000, spent $380,214 and had $230,698 on hand. Carter, a state senator from Pooler, now has put $300,000 of his own money behind his bid. Savannah surgeon Bob Johnson raised $279,040, loaned himself $4,000 and spent $442,641, leaving him with $49,656 on hand.
For the Democrats -- a very long shot to claim the GOP-leaning seat -- Brian Reese raised $3,875, spent $0 (not a typo) and finished with $4,690. Amy Tavio raised $4,839, spent $5,290 and ended the term with $1,866 on hand.
12th Congressional District
According to a spokesman, U.S. Rep. John Barrow, D-Augusta, raised $580,032 from April through June and ended with $1,871,213 in cash on hand.
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