MS Election: Presley has record fund-raising leading to general election. See how much

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct Gov. Tate Reeves' fundraising totals.

With less than a month to go until the general election for Mississippi's 2023 statewide elections, candidates reported bringing in millions of dollars reported in their campaign finance reports that were due Tuesday, including a record total for Democrat Brandon Presley.

Presley, who is trying to unseat Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, has raised nearly $7.9 million this year, breaking the 20-year-old record for most money raised by a Democratic gubernatorial nominee held by then-Governor Ronnie Musgrove, who raised $7.7 million in 2003.

Following the news that the Brandon Presley for Governor campaign outraised Tate Reeves by over two-and-a-half times during the period, Campaign Manager Ron Owens released the following statement:

“Once again, the real Mississippi momentum is behind Brandon Presley’s campaign to bring change to the governor’s office," the Presley campaign said in a release, following the news that the Democrat had outraised Reeves in the same time period. "Brandon Presley is receiving overwhelming support from Mississippians because they are ready for a governor who will tackle corruption, keep hospitals open, and cut the car tag fees in half.”

Reeves sued over welfare spending: Man being sued over Mississippi welfare spending files his own lawsuit against governor

Poll shows close race for governor: New poll shows Reeves leading Presley. See how much of a lead he has

First-term Gov. Reeves continues to have much more money on hand than Presley.

Presley is a utility regulator and cousin of rock ’n' roll legend Elvis Presley, and he's seeking to become Mississippi's first Democratic governor in 20 years.

"Brandon's campaign continues to be buoyed by out-of-state liberal activists and the National Democrat Party who want to fundamentally change Mississippi and our way of life. Governor Reeves is running to keep Mississippi's Momentum going and build on his strong record of delivering wins for Mississippians, like record economic growth and historic educational achievements," said Clifton Carroll of the Reeves campaign.

Campaign finance reports from the Secretary of State's office show Presley started this year with about $727,500 in his campaign fund. He has raised about $7.9 million and spent nearly $6.8 million. That left him with about $1.8 million cash on hand as of Sept. 30.

Presley raised nearly $4.9 million for the period from July 1 to Sept. 30.

Meanwhile, Reeves started this year with nearly $7.9 million in two campaign accounts. He has raised about $5.1 million and spent nearly $6.9 million. He had about $4.1 million cash on hand at the end of September.

During the last fundraising period that ended in September, Reeves raised more than $1.6 million in campaign contributions.

Reeves has nearly $2.3 million more cash on hand than Presley.

In the Lt. Governor's race, incumbent Republican Delbert Hosemann started the year with more than $2.3 million on hand. He has raised around $3.7 million and has spent $5.5 million. That leaves him with $303,861 on hand for spending.

Hosemann defeated Chris McDaniel in the Republican primary. Hosemann will face Democrat Ryan Grover, a small business owner, who ran unopposed in the primaries.

In his latest campaign finance information filed with the Secretary of State as of Aug. 2, Grover had no money on hand.

Mississippi voters will be heading to the polls Nov. 7 for the general election. Absentee voting has already begun.

Ross Reily can be reached by email at rreily@gannett.com or at 601-573-2952. You can follow him on Twitter @GreenOkra1.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Reeves and Presley raise millions with month left before election