LITTLE ROCK -- Republican U.S. Sen. John Boozman reported raising more than $652,000 in the final three months of last year, bringing in more than double the amount by his Democratic challenger.
The incumbent Arkansas lawmaker reported spending more than $212,000 between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 and ended the year with more than $1.5 million cash on hand. Sunday was the deadline for candidates to file their year-end reports with the Federal Election Commission. Democratic challenger Conner Eldridge's campaign said he raised more than $308,000 during the same period. The former federal prosecutor ended the year with more than $448,000 in cash on hand.
Boozman faces a long-shot challenge in the March 1 primary from North Little Rock businessman Curtis Coleman. Fundraising figures were not available for Coleman, who did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday.
Eldridge, the only Democrat running for Boozman's seat, reported spending more than $260,000 during the quarter and ended the year with $448,268 cash on hand. He criticized Boozman as he announced the figures.
"For nearly 15 years, Senator John Boozman has sat idly by and let our national debt triple, our taxes increase, our veterans suffer, our borders remain unsecured, and let the deck continue to be stacked against working families and others across Arkansas," Eldridge said in a statement released by his campaign.
Boozman's campaign said it was encouraged by the fundraising figures.
"Senator Boozman is appreciative of the very positive response he is continuing to receive across the state," Chris Caldwell, his campaign manager, said in an email. "His message is clearly resonating with the people of Arkansas as evidenced by donations from hardworking families in all 75 counties of the state."
Boozman, who was first elected in 2010, last week began airing the first television ads of his re-election bid. Boozman's re-election bid is not expected to create the TV ad blitz that Arkansas two years ago, when then-Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor was defeated by Republican challenger Tom Cotton. The two rivals and outside groups spent more than $68 million on that race.
State Desk on 02/02/2016