Gov. Nathan Deal shifted his campaign fund-raising machine into overdrive in the month-and-a-half leading up to Tuesday’s primary, taking in more than $760,000 in big-money contributions since the start of April, more than double his Democratic challenger Jason Carter.
Combined, the two raised more than $1.1 million in contributions of $1,000 or more since April 1, according to reports analyzed by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Before elections, candidates only have to file disclosures on contributions of more than $1,000 when they are between reporting periods, the last of which ended March 31.
Neither Deal nor Carter, an Atlanta state senator, were legally allowed to raise money during the General Assembly session, which ended March 20.
While Carter made the most of the days right after the session, Deal’s campaign has gone after lobbyists and companies with interest in state legislation and contracts in a big way since April 1.
April also happens to be the month when Deal was deciding whether to sign or veto legislation and state spending. Several state lawmakers with bills before him gave to his campaign.
Among his donors were the Atlanta Braves, which gave $2,500. Deal and lawmakers will likely consider legislation over the next few years to provide tax breaks for construction of the new Braves stadium.
Deal’s campaign also received $16,200 - the maximum amount allowable - from the Southeast Permanente Medical Group on April 16, one day after the governor’s Department of Community Health announced it would include HMOs like Kaiser Permanente in the health plan that served 650,000 teachers, state employees, retirees and their dependents.
Among other big donors were the doctors’ lobby and its malpractice insurance company ($8,500), the nursing home lobby ($10,000), the card dealership lobby and dealers ($55,000), the liquor wholesalers lobby ($5,000), the real estate lobby ($6,300), and the hospital lobby ($6,300).
Incumbents typically get most of the statehouse donations, and that remains true in the governor’s race. Meanwhile, Carter, grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, continued getting strong support from lawyers, Washington DC lobbyists and Democrats from Atlanta and across the country.
Georgia unions contributed nearly $20,000 in one day. He also received $1,000 from former Atlanta Hawks center Dikembe Mutumbo.
One of Deal’s primary opponents, former Dalton Mayor David Pennington, reported receiving just under $20,000 in large contributions since April 1. He also reported loaning his campaign $95,000. The other Republican contender, state School Superintendent John Barge, reported no contributions or loans of $1,000 or more since April 1.
Deal went into April with a big fundraising lead over his opposition. At the end of March, his campaign had $3.9 million in the bank. Carter had $1.6 million, and Pennington $208,000.
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