Back in June, Bill Chumley made a surprise upset of Rep. Keith Kelly in the Republican primary for House District 35. The campaign, according to the disclosure reports, appeared to be chronically underfunded. But, there seemed to be a lot more spending going on. Then the July 10 reports come out, and there’s nothing showing the stepped-up effort. Somehow, only $12,000 was spent between late May and mid-June? And slightly less than $2,000 in expenditures were showing on the pre-election report?

Hm.

Mind you, Kelly spent more than double that during the same period of time. This is either the most incredible stretching of dollars, ever, or something else was going on. We were told that the invoices weren’t received before the reporting time. However, in this economy, even consultants are hurting for cash. Really — we’ve heard of politicians taking their time to pay off invoices, but not sending them out in a reasonable time is a first.

Perhaps seeing where the power lines are drawn, or simply making a few selections, Howard Rich’s support of Democrats was a little anemic, but still interesting. We enjoyed the obvious support of Sen. Robert Ford’s gubernatorial bid, and the only dollars to a senate account we could find — Darrell Jackson.

ROBERT FORD
Democrat, governor, lost primary
Contributions: $23,542.15
(In-kind: $3,491.15)
Expenditures: $67,836.28
Cash on hand: $33,972.28

Significant contributions
123 Lasalle Associates, $3,500
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Inc., $3,500
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Lending Corporation, $3,500
Howard Rich shell company
Leon Howard, $200
State representative
Clementa Pinckney, $250
State senator
Kent Williams, $250
State senator
SCRG PAC, $3,492.15
School choice organization
188 Claremont LLC, $3,500
Howard Rich shell company
Terry Alexander, $350
State representative
Gerald Malloy, $500
State senator
Darrell Jackson, $500
State senator

Significant expenditures
None.

DARRELL JACKSON
Democrat, Senate District 21, no race
Contributions: $16,200
Expenditures: $21,888.65
Cash on hand: $4,347.77

Significant contributions
Stilrich LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Bradford Management of N.Y., $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
470 W 166 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Lending Corporation, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
332 E. 11 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Silver & Silver Properties, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
None.

ENNIS BRYANT
Democrat, House District 50, lost primary
Contributions: $8,125
Expenditures: $9,963.68
Cash on hand: $4,514.53

Significant contributions
51 First Avenue LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Bradford Management of N.Y., $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
470 W 166 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
None.

JOHNNY SELLERS
Democrat, House District 54, lost primary
Contributions: $7,380
Expenditures: $5,583.76
Cash on hand: $1,991.98

Significant contributions
W 14 & 18 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Bradford Management of N.Y., $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Silver & Silver Properties, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Lending Corporation, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
None.

CURTIS BRANTLEY
Democrat, House District 122, won primary
Contributions: $18,550
Expenditures: $14,266.60
Cash on hand: $11,920.21

Significant contributions
123 Lasalle Inc., $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
West 14 & 18 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
S.C. Legislative Black Caucus, $750
Legislative committee
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Silver & Silver Properties, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Bradford Management of N.Y., $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
None.

When Howard Rich decided to kick in his dollars for the 2010 primary cycle, his choices were of a better nature than last time, considering that in a lot of races, the candidates who accepted money had a better-than-average chance of winning. Even two guys who he gave money to try to beat last time — Bill Sandifer and Mike Sottile come to mind — are now considered OK. And speaking of stacking the deck, two gentlemen on this list were already virtually guaranteed to return to the House next year.

BILL SANDIFER
Republican, House District 2, won primary
Contributions: $18,025
Expenditures: $54,481.81
Cash on hand: $39,805.08

Significant contributions
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
470 W 116 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
332 E. 11 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Bradford Management of N.Y., $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Free and Strong America PAC, $1,000
Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney’s PAC

Significant expenditures
Homeyer Strategy Group (consulting), $12,363.90
Jason Puhlaski (consulting), $1,540.84, $1,913.12, $5,000
Rod Shealy (mail), $8,274
On The Mark (mail), $11,892.32

DON BOWEN
Republican, House District 8, no primary
Contributions: $24,174.10
(In-kind: $100)
Expenditures: $4,832.16
Cash on hand: $25,326.75

Significant contributions
470 W 166 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Lending Corporation, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
S.C. Leadership PAC, $1,000
Rep. Dan Cooper’s PAC
Palmetto Leadership Council, $1,000
Organization of Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell
S.C. House Republican Caucus, $5,000
Legislative caucus
Palmetto Patriot Leadership Committee, $1,000
Organization of Rep. Alan Clemmons

Significant expenditures
None.

MIKE PITTS
Republican, House District 14, no primary
Contributions: $8,650
Expenditures, $2,608.93
Cash on hand: $48,409.91

Significant contributions
538-14 Realty LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Lending Corporation, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
332 E. 11 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Silver & Silver Properties, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
None.

RICK QUINN
Republican, House District 69, won primary
Contributions: $18,185
Expenditures: $16,200.10
Cash on hand: $12,680

Significant contributions
HuckPAC, $500
Former Ark. Gov. Mike Huckabee’s PAC
Palmetto Leadership Council, $1,000
Organization of Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell
S.C. House Republican Caucus, $5,000
Legislative committee
Leon Stavrinakis, $150
State representative
Hall & Bowers, $1,000
Law firm
S.C. Club for Growth PAC, $1,000
Political action committee
Stillrich LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Lending Corporation, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
Mail Marketing Strategies (mail), $1,269.59, $2,608.20×4
Richard Quinn & Associates (consulting), $3,600

JIM HARRISON
Republican, House District 75, won primary
Contributions: $16,799.65
Expenditures: $0
Cash on hand: $95,511.17

Significant contributions
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
470 W 166 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
None.

ROLAND SMITH
Republican, House District 84, won primary
Contributions: $10,250
Expenditures: $6,798.15
Cash on hand: $63,766

Significant contributions
The SCEA Fund, $500
Public education group
470 W 166 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Lending Corporation, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Conservation Voters of S.C., $500
Environmental organization

Significant expenditures
Zacher Media Strategies (mail, ads), $1,912.42, $3,805.86

NELSON HARDWICK
Republican, House District 106, won primary
Contributions: $12,100
Expenditures: $34,643.09
Cash on hand: $15,389.23

Significant contributions
Bradford Management of N.Y., $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
470 W 166 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Ripley’s Aquarium, $250
Attraction
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
Lucky Dog Television (ads), $27,500

MIKE SOTTILE
Republican, House District 112, won primary
Contributions: $17,700
Expenditures: $39,542.37
Cash on hand: $8,091.18

Significant contributions
West 14 & 18 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Free and Strong America PAC, $250
Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney’s PAC
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Lending Corporation, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Stillrich LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Bradford Management of N.Y., $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Silver & Silver Properties, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
Donehue Direct (consulting), $14,740.03, $7,511.80, $3,534.81, $2,023.60, $181.35, $10,485.43

Howard Rich, the Uncle Pennybags of South Carolina politics, wasn’t going to stay out of the primaries this year. No how, no way. What’s most interesting is the people he decided to donate to, with the exception a choice few. For instance, a lot of money went to incumbents, even people who also got money from public education organizations. Then there was Rep. Joey Millwood, who got almost all of his money during the dark period between the pre-election report and the second quarter report.

JOEY MILLWOOD
Republican, House District 38, lost primary runoff
Contributions: $28,400
Expenditures: $30,526
Cash on hand: $6,164.28

Significant contributions
Asheboro Investors, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Vanguard Prime, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rosemead Investors, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Cobden LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
SpringRich, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund, $1,000×2
Howard Rich shell company
New Rich LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Vanguard Treasury Money Market Fund, $1,000×2
Howard Rich shell company
Bradford Management of N.Y., $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
538-8 Realty, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Howard Rich Sole Proprietorship, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Silver & Silver Properties, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Acquisitions LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Lending Corporation, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
SteeleRich LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Spinksville LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
S.C. Club for Growth PAC, $1,000×2
Political action committee
Bill Lowndes, $1,000, $500
Businessman
Ralph Norman, $200
State representative

Significant expenditures
Skyagunsta (consulting), $20,000, $6,066

A few other legislators, including people who were targeted by Rich and his pals two years ago, have been getting checks here and there, and certainly did during the last period, though nobody really cleaned up in the way Millwood did. This could point to a change in strategy — trying to influence the already-powerful instead of the previous attempt of coup-by-campaign contributions. But even this strategy wasn’t perfect. Like Millwood, a few other incumbents — and others who received support — didn’t get by this year.

HARRY CATO
Republican, House District 17, lost primary
Contributions: $39,425
Expenditures: $74,665.22
Cash on hand: $56,168.65

Significant contributions
470 W 166 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Free and Strong America PAC, $1,000
Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney’s PAC
Stilrich LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Lending Corporation, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Bradford Management of N.Y., $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Silver & Silver Properties, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
332 E. 11 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
Starboard Communications (consulting), $1,574.07, $920.84, $3,212.46, $16,029.18, $5,780.40
Gadsden & Greene Strategies (consulting), $5,000
On Point Consulting (consulting), $500

RICHARD CHALK
Republican, House District 123, lost primary runoff
Contributions: $28,705
Expenditures: $33,333.45
Cash on hand: $2,741.72

Significant contributions
Spinksville II LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Lending Corporation, $1,000×2
Howard Rich shell company
Coolcal LLC, $1,000×2
Howard Rich shell company
Stillrich LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Cobden LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Palmetto Patriot Leadership Committee, $1,000
PAC of Rep. Alan Clemmons
470 W 166 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
Conquest Communications Group (polling), $3,000

JIM STEWART
Republican, House District 86, lost primary
Contributions: $8,275
Expenditures: $22,089.76
Cash on hand: $13,668.57

Significant contributions
470 W 166 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Palmetto Leadership Council, $1,000
Organization of Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Silver & Silver Properties, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
Donehue Direct (consulting), $2,398.05 $9,787.75, $7,976.61

CHRISTOPHER WILSON
Republican, House District 26, lost primary
Contributions: $12,489.33
(Loan: $1,304.33)
Expenditures: $15,475.84
Cash on hand: $314.98

Significant contributions
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Silver & Silver Properties, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Inc., $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
332 E. 11 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Bradford Management of N.Y., $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Stillrich LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Lending Corporation, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
The Sandlapper Group (consulting), $13,200, $1,154.33

JERMAINE HUSSER
Republican, House District 117, lost primary
Contributions: $16,740
Expenditures: $10,664.95
Cash on hand: $12,403.42

Significant contributions
123 Lasalle Inc., $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Silver & Silver Properties, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Rich Lending Corporation, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
123 Lasalle Associates, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
332 E. 11 LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Stillrich LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
188 Claremont LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Coolcal LLC, $1,000
Howard Rich shell company
Bradford Management of N.Y., $1,000
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
Starboard Communications (consulting), $318.31, $215.70, $5,000, $2,259.96, $1,741.78, $424.23

CONVERSE CHELLIS
Republican, state treasurer, lost primary
Contributions: $45,065
Expenditures: $328,283.12
Cash on hand: $0

Significant contributions
Leaders in Education Administration PAC, $250
Public education PAC
Hall & Bowers LLC, $2,500
Law firm
123 Lasalle Associates, $3,500
Howard Rich shell company
188 Claremont LLC, $3,500
Howard Rich shell company

Significant expenditures
Homeyer Strategy Group (fundraising), $16,455.90, $10,513.56, $10,801.30
Donehue Direct (Internet), $250
Starboard Communications (consulting), $254.98, $67,190, $808.33
Public Opinion Strategies (polling), $500
The Strategy Group for Media (consulting), $10,000

On Primary Day, everyone saw that this year, money didn’t matter. Neither did being more knowledgeable about the issues, having better ideas, or more experience in getting things done. For a lot of voters, it came down to, “You’re not that person.” Naturally, that’s not exactly the best way to elect someone, but the voting public as a whole has never been very wise in how it makes decisions.

For most elections, money in the bank is like an early return. If people and organizations are willing to part with money to further a campaign, that’s seen by some as even more of a personal stake in a campaign than a vote. After all, it stands to reason that if you give a decent amount of cash, you’re even that more motivated to head to the polls. Again, that isn’t the case this time. As reported Thursday and reiterated Sunday by The State, U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett out-rose Rep. Nikki Haley between the primary and Thursday, in their race to capture the Republican gubernatorial nomination.

Barrett sports $299,225, with Haley at $224,271, and the story doesn’t even mention spending, in which Barrett should be far and away ahead because of his distinct dollar advantage going into June. And it doesn’t matter. The same people who closed their eyes and shot into the dark will likely return to the polls tomorrow and give Haley the nomination. This is despite the fact that most South Carolinians don’t want Sanford 2.0, which is what Haley is, in spades. When the S.C. Chamber of Commerce and business leaders across the state are turning hard against a GOP candidate, that should tell you something.

Even though Haley’s fundraising operation has been godawful since its very inception, it’ll take off after the runoff simply because she’s the Republican nominee. Then, Democratic nominee Vince Sheheen will be the person with the small stack. And that’ll leave a lot of right-thinking Republicans in a quandary. Do they vote for Sheheen? After all, even with the recent détente between Gov. Mark Sanford and the GOP leadership in the General Assembly, a Haley administration would be a return to the bad old days of an intransigent ideologue in the Governor’s Mansion, who won’t make the necessary compromises that are needed to make needed changes for our state.

There is a precedent. A lot of Republicans voted for Jim Hodges after David Beasley’s misbegotten term. Unfortunately, when given the chance to pick the right guy in 2002, they dropped the ball. Second chances do abound. Give Sheheen a term, beat him up for four years, then find a strong candidate to run against him in 2014. Either way, a Democrat will win. It’s this cycle or the next one. Because four years of Haley is going to go down like a lead zeppelin.

It might be a better idea for Sheheen to take over this time, because greenbacks will probably matter a lot more in 2014.

There’s a couple things we’ve never understood about Supt. of Ed. Jim Rex’s finance operation. One was how bad it’s been, and when it was doing decently, how fast that money went out the door. So, when it came down to the final 15 days of the primary race (though there will likely be a runoff), Sen. Robert Ford — Ford — had more dollars to spend. Insane.

VINCE SHEHEEN
Contributions: $145,297.77
(Personal funds: $3,000)
(In-kind: $1,371.97)
Expenditures: $638,237.19
Cash on hand: $307,250.28

Significant contributions
Stephen Wukela, $1,000
Florence mayor
David Adams, $100
Richland County treasurer
Kathryn Fenner, $100
Writer
Tyler Jones, $100
Consultant
Blue Cross Blue Shield of S.C., $1,500
Insurance company
John Palms, $500
Former USC president
Todd Avant, $250
Developer
Southern Wine & Spirits of S.C., $500
Beverage company
Charles Way Jr., $1,000
Former state secretary of commerce

Significant expenditures
BANCO/Bannister (ads), $80,000, $2,907, $50,000, $2,526.71, $2,733.03, $2,903.88, $3,123.31
Mack/Crounse Group (ads), $43,833.10, $871.85, $20,824.58, $23,391.19, $23,015.96, $2,000
S.C. Black Media Group (ads), $4,300
Buying Time (ads), $250,000
Hayden Blanton & Associates (consulting), $5,000, $4,343.04, $5,000
Global Strategy Group (consulting), $40,000

JIM REX
Contributions: $51,072
(In-kind: $542)
Expenditures: $134,093.51
Cash on hand: $30,199.36

Significant contributions
Oscar Lovelace, $500
Former candidate for governor
Dick Riley, $1,000
Former governor
Barbara Rackes, $250
Consultant

Significant expenditure
ZekeStokes LLC (consulting), $2,000×2, $1,000×3, $822.53, $2,500
S.C. Black Media Group (ads), $4,300
Integrated Strategy (consulting), $5,000, $4,135
Strategic B&P (consulting), $2,000
The Rackes Group (Web consulting), $5,000, $2,000
Engage Strategies (consulting), $500
Zata3 Consulting (robo calls), $150, $3,385
Hirshberg Strategies (consulting), $18,000
Hamilton Campaigns (consulting), $4,125

ROBERT FORD
Contributions: $32,750
(Personal funds: $12,000)
Expenditures: $7,436.37
Cash on hand: $78,266.41

Significant contributions
Blue Cross Blue Shield of S.C., $2,500
Insurance company

Significant expenditures
None.

The original post left out Eleanor Kitzman. After going through about 14 primaries, leaving someone (or a few someones) out was bound to happen. Apologies.

While we’re on the trope of South Carolina reality shows, the one for the GOP lieutenant governor’s race would no doubt be “Big Money, Small Job.” No matter how candidates for the office try to play it up, the LG position is relatively useless, and had to have the Office on Aging moved into it to justify its existence. The three gentlemen, and one lady, running for the nomination have raised a lot of money and spent a lot of money just to get there. Larry Richter took out a large loan, spent more than $450,000 in only seven weeks.

KEN ARD
Contributions: $17,968.20
(In kind: $2,167.20)
Expenditures: $184,836.36
Cash on hand: $177,894.90

Significant contributions
Katrina Shealy, $50
Former state Senate candidate
S.C. Health Care PAC, $3,500
Political action committee
Les Tindal, $100
Former state agriculture commissioner

Significant expenditures
Gadsden & Greene Strategies (reimbursement, consulting), $915.11, $8,000, $2,500, $3,871.26, $8,000
True South (media buy), $1,000
MailerMailer (Web site), $34.95, $29.95
WHNS (media), $4,675, $2,550
WLOS (media), $1,313.25, $688.50
WSPA (media), $10,276.50, $6,175.25
WYFF (media), $24,798.75, $8,223.75
WACH (media), $1,912.50, $773.50
WIS (media), $7,076.25, $3,587
WOLO (media), $1,572.50, $1,236.75
WWMB (media), $1,032.75, $1,564
WPDE (media), $6,183.75, $4,479.50
WBTW (media), $7,730.75, $4,092.75
WMBF (media), $956.25, $500
WTAT (media), $510
WFXB (media), $357
WCSC (media), $2,596.75
WCIV (media), $599.25
WCBD (media), $2,078.25
WLTX (media), $1,836
Campaign Services (voter contact), $25,000

BILL CONNOR
Contributions: $44,389.48
(In-kind: $298.74)
Expenditures: $59,834.06
Cash-on-hand: $216,200.19

Significant contributions
Dean Fowler, $100
Florence County treasurer
Edwood Earwood III, $25
Director of S.C. Association of Christian Schools
S.C. Health Care PAC, $3,500
Political action committee
Uzoamaka Eweama, $200
Ft. Jackson chaplain
Tilman Self III, $500
Ga. Superior Court judge
Howard Stravitz, $250
Professor, USC Law School
Dennis Corporation, $2,800
Construction company
Dennis Corporation Development, $3,500
Construction company
Daniel Dennis, $1,700
Construction

Significant expenditures
Palmetto Conservative Alliance (media buy, email), $8,500, $11,000
CRM Sports (ads), $2,166×2
Rep. Wendy Nanney (grassroots coordination), $1,750×2
Kings Knight Strategies (staff), $4,000, $3,500
Leslie Gaines (fundraising), $3,441.02
Sandlapper Group (signs, consulting), $6,000, $4,000
WW Consulting (consulting), $1,200
PRWeb (news release distribution), $460

LARRY RICHTER
Contributions: $253,730
(Loan: 225,000)
(In-kind: 180)
Expenditures: $454,881.21
Cash on hand: $20,178.86

Significant contributions
S.C. Health Care PAC, $3,500
Political action committee
Gene Reed, $2,500
Auto dealer

Significant expenditures
RightWayRobos.com (robo calls), $9,110.35, $369.55
Media One (email list), $10,400
The Richter Firm (reimbursement), $14,096.80
Dresner, Wickers & Associates (media buy, reimbursement), $174,800, $337.97, $6,226.47, $163,000, $13,711.56, $16,453.88
TCV Media (emails), $732.53
S.C. Press Services (emails), $120
Rod Shealy (field services), $2,751
Research Services (calls), $4,000

ELEANOR KITZMAN
Contributions: $101,005.23
(Loan: $1,000)
(In-kind: $1,305.23)
(Personal funds: $150)
Expenditures: $96,699.24
Cash on hand: $18,387.31

Significant contributions
Blue Cross Blue Shield of S.C., $3,000
Insurance company

Significant expenditures
Blue Ocean Discovery (consulting), $22,000, $35,000, $10,000, $15,000
Catalyst-Think (Web services), $4,030.50
Stonewall Strategies (consulting), $5,000

You go through and see how the three candidates for the Republican nomination for attorney general are doing. All raised between $40,000 and $50,000, all seem to be slicing up bits of the electorate. But, goddamn, Alan Wilson has more than 400 large on hand. It’ll sure be interesting in the June 10 reports to see where all that money went. Granted, he took out a $250,000 loan a while back, but hoo-wee.

ROBERT BOLCHOZ
Contributions: $42,669.16
(In-kind: $1,284.16)
Expenditures: $144,636.58
Cash on hand: $102,527.15

Significant contributions
USAA, $500
Insurance company
The Travelers, $1,000
Insurance company
State Auto Employees PAC, $500
Political action committee
Liberty Mutual PAC, $2,000
Political action committee

Significant expenditures
Campaign Marketing Strategies (calls), $798.95, $656.33
Slicker (Web site), $100
Jamestown Associates (media), $4,993.17, $62,939.50, $24,718.16
Targeted Creative Communications (signs), $2,877.94, $1,841.68, $1,228.98, $4,059.07
Public Opinion Strategies (survey), $12,950
The RBD Group (research), $7,018.84
Drummond Communications (consulting), $2,000

LEIGHTON LORD
Contributions: $47,265
Expenditures: $231,268.72
Cash on hand: $100,114.68

Significant contributions
NUCOR PAC, $1,000
Political action committee
Bo Aughtry, $1,000
Developer
Michelin North America, $2,500
Tire products
Heather Hoopes Matthews, $150
Former reporter
Katrina Shealy, $100
Former state Senate candidate
Joe Edens, $2,500
Developer

Significant expenditures
On Point Strategies (fundraising), $1,906.42, $1,536, $1,500
True South (media buys), $120,920, $26,739, $9,955, $9,999
Campaign Services (voter contact), $11,614.13
Gadsden & Greene Strategies (consulting), $1,436.24, $8,000×2, $7,000

ALAN WILSON
Contributions: $43,437
Expenditures: $1,933.76
Cash on hand: $427,803.94

Significant contributions
Joe Wilson, $500
U.S. representative
Van Hipp, $2,000
Investor
Citizens United PAC, $500
Political action committee
The Presidential Coalition, $500
Organization allied with Citizens United
Blue Cross Blue Shield of S.C., $1,000
Insurance company

Significant expenditures
None.

Bear with us — there are only so many ways you can write, “Candidate A has more cash-on-hand than Candidates B or C, and seems to have the momentum, so the good money is on Candidate A to have the most votes in the primary, and the favorite in the runoff.” And so it is for Mick Zais in the Republican nomination race for superintendent of education.

MICK ZAIS
Contributions: $33,489.07
(In-kind: $6,324.07)
Expenditures: $29,947.08
Cash on hand: $115,640.63

Significant contributions
Robert Royall, $1,000
Former director, S.C. Department of Revenue
Joe Edens, $1,000
Developer
Brian Boyer, $250
Developer
Ralph Norman, $500
State representative
Wayne Brazell, $100
Superintendent, S.C. Charter School District
Kristin Maguire, $500
Former chair, state Board of Education
Chad Connelly, $50
School choice advocate

Significant disbursements
Starboard Communications (printing), $4,179.49, $1,200, $500, $1,144.63
Ragley Public Affairs (campaign management), $5,000×2
The Mace Group (Web site, consulting), $2,500, $750

KELLY PAYNE
Contributions: $6,051.88
Expenditures: $10,242.58
Cash on hand: $743.85

Significant contributions
None.

Significant expenditures
Clark Solutions Group (ads), $6,100
Random Definition (Web site), $650

BRENT NELSON
Contributions: $60,219.95
(Loan: $50,000)
Expenditures: $52,089.34
Cash on hand: $14,082.41

Significant contributions
None.

Significant expenditures
Smoak Public Relations (printing, consulting), $4,750, $1,160, $23,033.20, $9,000, $3,000
NGS Consulting (consulting), $1,000, $2,764.01

Democratic superintendent of education candidate Tom Thompson has been trying to get around to the base and to get his name out there, but we’d imagine that if you asked most likely Democratic primary voters, they won’t know who he is. Frank Holleman, who’ll no doubt waltz into the nomination, has money to burn and should probably sit on it while the Republicans battle it out.

FRANK HOLLEMAN
Contributions: $34,449.39
(In-kind: $3,160.39)
Expenditures: $24,872
Cash on hand: $222,924.80

Significant contributions
Drew Theodore, $500
Former comptroller general candidate
John Land, $250
Senate minority leader
Walt McLeod, $150
State representative
Don Fowler, $500
Former DNC chairman

Significant expenditures
The Macrina Group (consulting, expenses), $3,226.11, $2,000
The Rackes Group (consulting), $2,102.90, $1,500

TOM THOMPSON
Contributions: $200
Expenditures: $2,433.35
Cash on hand: $1,807.90

Significant contributions
None.

Significant expenditures
None.