http://www.thestate.com/local/story/978065.html
The State: Barrett leading in race for cash
GOP congressman among candidates for governor
By GINA SMITH
gnsmith@thestate.com
So far this quarter, U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, a Westminister Republican, leads both the Republican and Democratic gubernatorial pack in fundraising.
Friday, Barrett’s campaign announced more than $400,000 in new money raised during the third quarter. He’s transferred another $140,000 over from his congressional fund and has $330,000 on hand.
“Thousands of people have invested in Gresham Barrett and his conservative vision for leading South Carolina’s economic turnaround,” Barry Wynn, Barrett for Governor finance chairman, said in a prepared statement.
Meanwhile, Democrat Dwight Drake, a Columbia attorney and former lobbyist, announced Friday he has raised more than $300,000 in the seven weeks since he announced his run. He enters the fourth quarter with nearly $231,000 in cash on hand.
“We are grateful for the strong, early support Dwight Drake is getting from South Carolinians who know he is the best, most experienced choice to get the state working again,” said Taylor West, Drake’s spokeswoman.
Sen. Vincent Sheheen, a Kershaw County Democrat, finalized his fundraising total Friday, announcing more than $230,000 raised.
“I’m humbled by the outpouring of support for my campaign,” said Sheheen, a Camden attorney who enters the new quarter with more than $627,000. “In every corner of this state, South Carolinians have thrown their support and energy behind my efforts to bring a new generation of leadership to our great state.”
Democrat Mullins McLeod announced his $210,000 quarter tally Thursday. That includes $100,000 the Charleston attorney donated to his own campaign.
Campaign adviser Lachlan McIntosh said the $100,000 is a sign of McLeod’s commitment to change in South Carolina.
The seven remaining candidates have yet to release their totals: Democrats Amos Elliott, a Charleston pastor; Sen. Robert Ford of Charleston; Jim Rex, state superintendent of education; as well as Republicans Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer, Sen. Larry Grooms of Berkeley County, Rep. Nikki Haley of Lexington County and state Attorney General Henry McMaster.
They have until Thursday to report their fundraising totals with the state Ethics Commission without penalty.
