Embattled McDaniel Raises More Than $400,000

Arkansas Democratic Attorney General Dustin McDaniel raised about $410,500 in the final quarter of 2012, leaving his campaign with around $1.1 million cash on hand going into 2013.

The financial disclosure report is his first since McDaniel admitted on Dec. 18 to having an extramarital affair. Isaac Wright, a McDaniel spokesperson, said that the campaign reached its fundraising goals for 2012.

McDaniel’s campaign has been under fire for its handling of the story about his relationship, but McDaniel said at a press conference last week that no donors had asked for their money back and that he was committed to moving forward with his campaign.

McDaniel is the only declared Democratic candidate, but many are expecting a contentious primary fight. Former Democratic Lt. Gov. Bill Halter's spokesperson told Talk Business that Halter is "seriously considering" a run.

McDaniel's report includes about $386,027 raised for the primary and $24,500 raised for a potential runoff. The reporting period ran from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, ending 11 days after news of McDaniel's "inappropriate" relationship broke. The next filing deadline is April 15, and it will likely give a better idea of any potential fallout from the scandal.

Former Republican Rep. Asa Hutchinson, who is expected to run, said earlier this month that he isn't concerned about McDaniel's fundraising advantage, telling the AP, that "the money is going to be there. It’s such an important race. ... I don't anticipate a challenge in catching up on the fundraising side."


Leave A Comment
The National Journal Group has the right (but not the obligation) to monitor the comments and to remove any materials it deems inappropriate.
Comments powered by Disqus
Follow National Journal
About

Staff


Reid Wilson, Editor-in-Chief
Steve Shepard, Executive Editor
Julie Sobel, Editor
Kevin Brennan, Deputy Editor


Disclaimer


On Call editors reserve the right to delete inappropriate comments. The Hotline, National Journal Group, Inc. and Atlantic Media Company are not responsible for the content of the comments that remain.