EVEN MONEY …
The two frontrunners for the 2018 “Republican” gubernatorial nomination have formally filed their second quarter campaign finance reports with the S.C. State Ethics Commission (SCSEC). Most of the numbers are already out there, but we figured a formal recapitulation was in order based on the official filings.
At this point, the money race between incumbent Henry McMaster and challenger Catherine Templeton is essentially even … a shocking development considering the former is a three-decade veteran of GOP politics and the latter is seeking public office for the first time ever.
Nonetheless, here is the breakdown …
HENRY McMASTER – VERSUS – CATHERINE TEMPLETON
$1,766,842.22 – TOTAL RAISED – $1,453,040.57
$275,617.51 – TOTAL SPENT – $123,319.75
$1,491,224.71 – CASH-ON-HAND – $1,329,720.82
McMaster no doubt thought he would cruise to reelection next spring, but it is becoming increasingly clear his proximity to an ongoing anti-corruption probe is hurting him with donors.
Meanwhile Templeton is putting up sensational numbers for a newcomer.
As we noted earlier today, the field for this race remains far from settled. Fiscally conservative S.C. Senator Tom Davis may jump into the fray – as may lieutenant governor Kevin Bryant. Of course with McMaster and Templeton raising money at their current clip – and the GOP primary election less than a year away – anyone considering a bid as a “Republican” party candidate probably needs to jump in soon.
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