Republicans Out-Raise Democrats In Statewide Campaigns

INDIANAPOLIS – Republican candidates have raised more money than their Democratic opponents in races for statewide office this year.

The only contest even close when it comes to fundraising is the race to win the secretary of state’s office, according to filings with the Indiana Election Division.

Incumbent Connie Lawson, a Republican, has raised roughly $464,000. Her biggest contribution – $10,000 – came from Robert Rohrman, the Tippecanoe County assessor, reports show.

Lawson’s Democratic challenger, Beth White, has raised a little more than $438,000. White is the Marion County clerk.

The Libertarian candidate Karl Tatgenhorst is an information technology director and an Army veteran. Thus far in the election he has raised just more than $6,300.

The numbers don’t include contributions made just before the election.

In the state treasurer’s race, Republican Kelly Mitchell has raised more than $366,000. Her biggest contribution to date came from the PNC political action committee, which gave her $5,000.

The Democrat in the race has raised slightly more than $27,000. Mike Boland’s biggest contributions have come from the Democratic Party and the Northwest Indiana Federation of Labor. Both gave $1,000.

Incumbent state Auditor Suzanne Crouch, a Republican, has raised nearly $635,000. R. Bruce Dye has been Crouch’s biggest contributor so far. Dye contributed $20,000. He is the chief executive officer at Hotel Fitness.

Democratic challenger Michael Claytor has raised more than $165,000. The Indiana Democrats Victory Committee has given Claytor the most money with a $10,000 contribution.

Ben Brown is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.