JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – Mississippi’s 26 statewide candidates have raised nearly ten million dollars already this year as the state’s primary election looms, according to campaign finance documents compiled by 3 On Your Side.

Records show Republican Gov. Tate Reeves raised more than any other candidate over the first six months of 2023, raking in $3.4 million.

His challenger, Democratic candidate Brandon Presley, trails Reeves by more than $1.1 million.

Presley’s latest campaign finance report, filed earlier this week, shows $2.27 million raised thus far this year.

In the race for lieutenant governor, incumbent Delbert Hosemann has raised nearly twice what opponent Chris McDaniel has brought in, according to campaign finance reports provided by the respective campaigns.

Hosemann’s contributions total more than $1.7 million, while McDaniel supporters have contributed $882,645, according to documents McDaniel’s campaign filed.

Both men are Republican candidates and will face off in next month’s primary.

Our analysis shows Hosemann has spent more than anybody else running for statewide office thus far this year: $1.8 million, but still has a sizable war chest from previous campaigns.

Hosemann’s currently outspending McDaniel three to one.

Reeves dished out more than $1.6 million in disbursements since January, while his opponent Presley paid more than $1.1 million in campaign expenses.

The figures above do not take into account two disputed donations made to McDaniel totaling $465,000, which Hosemann claims violates Mississippi campaign finance laws. Hosemann’s campaign alerted Attorney General Lynn Fitch of the filing issues, but Fitch’s office has not released anything on the case.

McDaniel spokesperson Nicole Tardif told WLBT in May that the campaign refunded the money, listed as a disbursement on that May 10 filing.

If those figures were both collectively removed from McDaniel’s total contributions and spending, he would have instead raised $417,645, ranking sixth among statewide candidates in money raised, and would have spent $327,979 since January 1, remaining the fourth biggest spender in this year’s election thus far.

Author’s note: This article has been updated to provide proper context on McDaniel’s campaign contributions and expenses from WLBT’s previous investigative coverage.

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