The latest campaign finance numbers show Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards has more money in his warchest than his two Republican challengers combined. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Edwards is in a good position heading into the October 12th election.
“The numbers indicate that Governor Edwards has a lot of support from a lot of individuals as well as important financiers,” said Stockley.
Edwards has eight-point-four million dollars in his bank account, while Eddie Rispone has five-point-five million and Ralph Abraham only has 350-thousand through the 2018 fundraising period. Stockley says it doesn’t appear many Republicans are ready to get behind Abraham.
“That he only raised $350,000 is incredibly disappointing and probably shows some concern and might raise some eyebrows from Republicans,” said Stockley.
But the Abraham campaign points out that the third-term Congressman did not officially enter the race until early December and raised $356,000 before January 1.
Rispone has raised only a half-a-million dollars and the other five-million dollars is his own money. Stockley says the poor fundraising totals by the two Republican candidates suggests Governor Edwards could be getting money from some G-O-P donors.
“Two Republicans have only raised $850,000, it has suggest that Governor Edwards is strong and the Republican opposition is weak,” said Stockley.
