Mike Ross for Governor raises nearly $2 million in opening quarter

Mike Ross for Governor has raised nearly $2 million in its first opening quarter, setting a new record in Arkansas political history, and has signed up more than 5,000 supporters from across the state of Arkansas. 
The campaign announced on Monday it had raised $1.97 million since it began on April 17th, ending the first quarter on June 30th with $1.70 million cash on hand. The announcement follows news last week that 62 of the 75 county sheriffs across the state of Arkansas endorsed Ross for governor. Ross, a Democrat from Prescott who now resides in Little Rock, is a former small business owner, state senator and U.S. Congressman.
“Our campaign to move Arkansas forward is resonating across the state, and I am so thankful to the thousands of Arkansans who have contributed, volunteered and endorsed our positive vision for Arkansas’s future,” said Ross. “We have a lot of work to do before Election Day, but I think it’s clear we’ve got a strong start and a lot of momentum on our side. I’m running for governor, because I love this state and I want to use my experience of bringing people together to focus on education and job creation. I believe in Arkansas, and I know by working together we can create a brighter future for our children and grandchildren and make this state an even better place to call home.”
The amount sets a new fundraising record in Arkansas political history for an opening quarter of a governor’s race, close to doubling Gov. Mike Beebe’s 2005 opening quarter total of $1.09 million, said Dustin Smith, Ross’s deputy campaign manager for finance. Smith also said more than 90 percent of all contributions came from Arkansans and no loans were made to the campaign.
“Arkansans from every single county in the state have contributed to Mike Ross for Governor, and we have been proud of the contributions, endorsements and volunteers that have poured in from all over Arkansas,” said Smith. “Having signed up more than 5,000 supporters from across the state, the swell of grassroots support we’ve received has given Mike and our campaign a strong start that will carry us through Election Day.”
Smith added that more than 90 percent of all contributions are designated for the primary election and more than 80 percent of all contributors are individuals.
The next quarterly finance report is due on October 15, for the quarter ending September 30.
For more information about Ross’s campaign for governor, visit MikeRoss.com.