Whatever disadvantages Progressive candidate Dean Corren has in challenging well-known Republican incumbent Phil Scott, money is not one of them. Of all statewide candidates outside the gubernatorial race, Corren – who is using public financing for his campaign – is the only one who has a six-figure campaign fund.
With $192,035 remaining of his $200,000 in public financing, Corren’s campaign account has a hefty lead over Scott’s $33,049. Scott, on the other hand, has far outspent Corren so far in the race – Scott has spent $27,998 to Corren’s $7,965.
The other statewide races are not nearly as well-financed as those for Governor and Lieutenant Governor. In fact, Gov. Peter Shumlin has raised more money than all other candidates for statewide office combined.
Of the six statewide offices, only the Governor and Lieutenant Governor face challengers who raised or spent more than $500 – the threshold at which candidates are required to file their finances.
Here’s what you should know about this week’s campaign finance filings for those incumbents:
Treasurer Beth Pearce leads the down-ticket candidates in spending since the 2012 election, having dropped $11,819, some of that to cover polling expenses from the last campaign cycle.
Auditor Doug Hoffer’s campaign cash was evidently burning a hold in his pocket. The Progressive (who is endorsed by the Democratic Party) spent $4,044 of the $4,460 he raised, leaving him with just $416 in campaign funds as of this week.
Secretary of State Jim Condos and Attorney General Bill Sorrell are both holding onto their cash for the most part. Condos has $6,133 in his campaign account, most of it carried over from the previous election. He’s spent $3,155 since then. Sorrell has spent $5,192 on his campaign so far, but has the largest down-ticket campaign account, with $34,519 in the bank.
