Progressive Conservative Leader Jason Kenney spent slightly more than $1.5 million on his campaign to win the post, and raised nearly as much dough, according to financial statements filed with Elections Alberta.



The money raised by the former Calgary Conservative MP dwarfed his competitors in the four-man race, according to documents published online Tuesday. Vermilion-Lloydminster MLA Richard Starke was a distant second, raising and spending $192,603 during the campaign period.



Calgary lawyer Byron Nelson raised $44,000 and spent about $1,500 more than that, according to his disclosure. Former St. Albert MLA Stephen Khan, who stepped out of the race midway, raised nearly $25,000, but spent close to $55,000 on the campaign.



Former premier Jim Prentice amassed $2.66 million in contributions, and spent about $2.64 million, to win the 2014 Tory leadership race.



It took a more modest sum of $194,475 for Brian Jean to claim the Wildrose leadership in 2015. Premier Rachel Notley's 2014 campaign to become NDP leader cost $117,841.



Kenney’s spokesman also released a partial list Tuesday of people who donated more than $250 each to Unite Alberta, a fundraising body Kenney used before the leadership campaign began.



Blaise Boehmer said in an email Unite Alberta received money from 2,129 donors, 93 per cent of whom gave less than $250. He also circulated a list of 74 people who donated between $300 and $15,000 to Unite Alberta, for a total of $118,745. Lawyers advised them not to publish the names of any donors who wouldn’t give permission, he said.



Political parties in Alberta have been required to register their leadership contests with Elections Alberta since 2013. The Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act says all party leadership contestants must file financial statements disclosing revenue, expenses and liabilities within four months of the date of the leadership vote.



In March, Kenney handily won the PC leadership vote in Calgary with 75 per cent of ballots in his favour. He campaigned on a promise to unite right-wing parties to defeat Notley's NDP government. The NDP ended 44 years of PC rule in the 2015 provincial election.



PC members will vote Thursday, Friday and Saturday on whether to form a new United Conservative Party with the Wildrose Party. Wildrosers vote on a similar proposal Saturday.



According to his financial statements, Kenney raised $1.3 million in cash donations $250.01 or larger during his leadership campaign, and another $177,402 in smaller cash contributions. The rest came from "transfers" and "other income," the details of which are not included in the initial filing.



Kenney spent nearly $663,000 on salaries during the campaign, about $291,000 on "other" expenses, $164,000 on rallies and events, and nearly $129,000 on travel.



jfrench@postmedia.com



Twitter.com/jantafrench