Gov. Carney 'hopeful' Bethany Hall-Long will be able to resolve campaign finance concerns

Gov. John Carney said in a statement to Delaware Online/The News Journal that he is “hopeful” Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long will be able to “quickly resolve the concerns her campaign has identified” regarding old campaign finance reports.

Hall-Long, who is running for governor, announced last week that she is conducting an audit of past campaign finance reports. It’s unclear what led to the need for an audit, but the review will look at all campaign finance reports.

The campaign did not say if the report will be made public.

The lieutenant governor has not suspended her campaign, though she is not soliciting for donations at this time. Following this announcement, her campaign manager and fundraising consultant have left her gubernatorial campaign.

DELAWARE POLITICS: Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long's campaign sees top staffers leave in wake of financial audit

Carney endorsed Hall-Long just one day after she announced her campaign on Sept. 12. He described Hall-Long, in his statement, as a “dedicated public servant.”

Some supporters have also been distressed by the state of Hall-Long’s campaign, with at least one wondering if she will be able to find a path forward politically – even if no issues are found.  She has canceled two fundraisers and, according to the most recent campaign reports from January, she trails opponent New Castle County Matt Meyer in fundraising.

But others are standing by Hall-Long.

The campaign in a statement named Shaku Bhaya, Anne Farley and Roshan Patel as close advisors. Sen. Nicole Poore, a Democrat from New Castle, said Hall-Long’s decision to conduct an audit is “showing us what true leadership looks like.”

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Bethany Hall-Long campaign concerns: Governor 'hopeful' for resolution