Gov. Haslam has $4.5 million on hand for re-election bid

photo Bill Haslam

NASHVILLE - Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam starts his re-election year with more than $4.5 million on hand.

The Republican governor reported raising more than $2.9 million in the second half of 2013 and spending about $572,000. His campaign has collected more than $5.2 million to date.

Haslam, who has yet to draw a serious opponent from either party, spent about $796,000 on campaign activities last year. The top expense was $233,000 to fundraising consultant Kaegi Resources. Staffers were paid $184,000, while pollster Northstar Studios received $85,000.

The Ingram Group, headed by longtime campaign adviser Tom Ingram, was paid $30,000.

Campaign finance reports indicate that Haslam has not yet paid himself back $3.5 million he loaned his 2010 campaign.

The filing deadline for any potential challengers is in April.

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