Branstad campaign spending tops $1 million

DES MOINES - Gov. Terry Branstad has spent more than $1 million in his quest to get re-elected to an unprecedented sixth term this November as Iowa's chief executive.

Officials with the Branstad-Reynolds campaign announced on Tuesday they will report more than $4 million cash on hand when their campaign disclosure report is filed before the July 21 deadline. That's after raising more than $700,000 in the third reporting period that started May 28 and ended Monday, according to the campaign.

The governor's previous campaign finance disclosure report placed his cash-on-hand number at close to $4.7 million, meaning the campaign spent about $1.4 million since May 28 while replenishing its financial chest with $700,000 from contributors. The report that will be filed by next week's deadline will show the Branstad-Reynolds campaign is debt free, according to the campaign's statement.

'With just 112 days until Election Day, the Branstad-Reynolds campaign is well positioned for the final months of this campaign,” said Jake Ketzner, Branstad-Reynolds campaign manager. 'Our campaign has been able to release multiple TV advertisements and we have been able to air them statewide since June 4.”

Branstad's record fundraising pace had given him a huge advantage in May over Democratic rival Jack Hatch, a state senator from Des Moines who has not released fundraising totals for the latest reporting period.

Since May, Hatch won an unopposed primary and named Monica Vernon of Cedar Rapids as his running mate. Hatch's campaign also hired a national fundraising consultant and hoped to put more emphasis on finances after lawmakers ended their 2014 session and the governor wrapped up work on bills in the 30-day post-session window in early June.

Both campaigns were restricted in where they could solicit and collect funds until June 2 under state fundraising rules that barred gubernatorial candidates from receiving donations during and for 30 days after the 2014 legislative session. The restrictions did not apply to fundraising from individuals.

'Once again, our campaign has worked hard to meet and exceed our goals at every step of the way,” Branstad said in a statement issued Tuesday by his campaign.

'The overwhelming support that we have received from Iowans on this campaign is humbling and inspiring,” he added. 'We will continue to focus on our positive vision for building Iowa's future with pro-growth policies, a reduced tax burden for the middle class, and educational excellence for all.”