Alabama GOP candidates hold major cash advantage in statewide races

Brian Lyman, Montgomery Advertiser
·2 min read
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As fall campaigns get underway, Republican candidates for statewide office have major cash advantages over their Democratic rivals.

Campaign finance reports filed this week reflected the traditionally slow pace of fundraising in August, but showed heavily favored GOP nominees in solid positions for the November elections.

Gov. Kay Ivey had not filed her monthly report as of press time on Friday, but a major contribution report handed in earlier this week showed she had just under $220,000 on hand as of Aug. 26. Ivey raised at least $50,000 in August.

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Yolanda Flowers is far behind. Flowers reported receiving $400 in in-kind contributions in August. She reported $1,151 on hand for her campaign on Sept. 1.

Attorney General Steve Marshall raised $5,100 in August and spent $132,687. Marshall finished with $606,784 on hand. His Democratic opponent, Tarrant Police Chief Wendell Major, raised $303 in August and spent $223. Major finished the month with $822.

Rep. Wes Allen of Troy, the Republican nominee for Alabama Secretary of State, reported raising $12,005 in August and spending $6,413. He finished with $35,087 on hand. Democratic nominee Pamela Laffitte, a corrections sergeant with the Mobile County Sheriff’s Department, had not filed an August campaign report as of press time on Friday.

Democrats are not contesting the offices of lieutenant governor, state treasurer and state auditor. Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth raised $10,500 in August and spent $60,475, finishing with $1.2 million. State Treasurer Young Boozer did not report raising or spending any money in August. He finished the month with $174,887 on hand. Rep. Andrew Sorrell, R-Muscle Shoals, the presumptive state auditor, raised $1,030 and spent $270 in August, finishing with $3,533.

Republicans hold all statewide elected offices in Alabama, both U.S. Senate seats, and six of seven U.S. House districts.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Brian Lyman at 334-240-0185 or blyman@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Alabama GOP incumbents hold major cash advantage in statewide races