Friday, January 31, 2014
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.