Arkansas News Bureau
LITTLE ROCK — Gov. Mike Beebe raised more than $1 million for his re-election campaign in January, according to financial reports filed Monday with the secretary of state’s office.
Beebe raised $893,387 for the Democratic Party primary election in May and $126,300 for the general election.
Lt. Bill Halter reported raising $16,000 for his primary campaign in January and $7,000 for his general election campaign in January.
Beebe, who served more than 20 years in the Arkansas senate before being elected to attorney general in 2002, is finishing his first term as governor.
So far he has no opponent in the primary and no Republicans have announced for their party’s nomination for governor.
Along with the campaign contributions, Beebe reported $3,617 in carryover funds from his 2006 election campaign.
Among those donating the maximum $2,000 to the governor’s primary election campaign were state Insurance Commissioner Jay Bradford; Perryville attorney Herby Branscum Jr., a former state Democratic Party chairman; Oaklawn Park owner Charles Cella, and his wife, Rochelle; Oaklawn President and CEO Eric Jackson of Hot Springs; former Murphy Oil CEO Claiborne Deming of El Dorado; and James Gaston, owner of Gaston’s White River Resort in Lakeview.
Also contributing the maximum to Beebe’s primary campaign were state Highway Commissioner Cliff Hoofman and his wife, Deborah; Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality Director Teresa Marks; Entergy President and CEO Hugh McDonald, and his wife Michelle; Little Rock attorney Ark Monroe III; state Rep. Robert Moore, D-Arkansas City; Murphy Oil executive Charles Murphy III; Paschall Strategic Communications of Little Rock; W.R. Stephens Jr., executive Stephens Inc.; Tyson Foods Inc., retired Tyson chief Don Tyson, and Tyson Chairman and CEO John Tyson; and Riceland Foods of Stuttgart.
Clint Reed, a political consultant and former state Republican Party executive director contributed $1,000 to Beebe’s general election campaign.
Among those donating the maximum $2,000 to Beebe’s general election campaign were former Arkansas Poultry Federation head Don Allen of Little Rock; Southland Racing Corp. of West Memphis; and Windstream P.A.C. of Little Rock.
Beebe reported spending $25,800 from his primary campaign account and had more than $998,000 overall on hand.
Halter reported spending $15,876 on his primary campaign in January, leaving him with $314,676 in the bank. He had $127,500 in the bank for his general election campaign.
