Gregg has large money advantage over Democratic challengers

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The two Democrats challenging former Indiana House Speaker John Gregg for their party’s 2016 nomination for governor are trailing him badly in collecting campaign contributions.

State campaign finance reports that were due Wednesday show that state schools Superintendent Glenda Ritz raised about $30,000 in the first six months of this year. State Sen. Karen Tallian of Portage reported raising about $24,000.

Gregg’s campaign said earlier this week it raised nearly $1.8 million through June 30, topping the $1.6 million collected by Republican Gov. Mike Pence.

Ritz has about $112,000 in total campaign funds, far behind the $1.8 million Gregg has in the bank as he seeks a rematch of his 2012 campaign loss to Pence.

The governor’s re-election campaign has about $4.2 million.