South Carolina governor has $2 million in campaign kitty.
By American Bazaar Staff
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley raised nearly $600,000 in the first quarter of this year, documents her campaign filed with the South Carolina Ethics Commission reveal. The Indian American governor, who is facing reelection in 2014, has raised $2.7 million so far in this election cycle.
The campaign has spent more than $700,000, leaving roughly $2 million on hand, the disclosure report filed Thursday shows.
Entering the race as an insurgent candidate, Haley had raised close to $4 million in 2010, according to the National Institute on Money in State Politics, a watchdog group that tracks campaign donations. The 41-year-old Indian American is on pace to raise a lot more money in this cycle, with six more quarters left before the election.
All candidates are required to file a quarterly report in South Carolina “covering from the last report through the end of the calendar quarter.” Candidates to statewide offices can accept up to $3,500 from individuals ad up to $50,000 from political parties during an election cycle.
Haley, the first woman governor of South Carolina, is likely to face Democrat Vincent Sheheen, whom she defeated 51 percent to 47 percent.
Sheheen had raised more than $3.6 million in 2010.
Although Haley is likely to have an even bigger financial advantage over Sheeheen because of the power of incumbency, she faces a tough electoral climate this time around. Her job approval rating in a December 2012 Public Policy Polling was in the low 40s, while 49 percent of the people polled said they disapproved the governor’s job performance.
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