Fred Hubbell outpaces Kim Reynolds in fundraising; Reynolds holds more cash in governor's race

Brianne Pfannenstiel | The Des Moines Register

Show Caption Hide Caption Reynolds vs Hubbell in race for Iowa governor Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and Democratic businessman Fred Hubbell will vie for control of the state’s top office this fall.

Democrat Fred Hubbell's fundraising for his gubernatorial run outpaced Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds by more than $1.4 million during the most recent reporting period, although Reynolds still holds more in the bank.

During the roughly seven-week period that ended July 14, Hubbell brought in $2.6 million and ended the period with nearly $2 million in cash on hand. He poured nearly $3 million of his own money into his primary campaign but did not contribute any of his own funds during this fundraising period.

Reynolds, during the same period, raised $1.17 million and ended with $3.6 million in cash on hand.

"The momentum and energy behind the Hubbell-Hart ticket is clear and we are only getting started,” Hubbell campaign manager Michelle Gajewsk said in a statement.

Since the start of 2017, Hubbell has raised $9.5 million and Reynolds has raised about $6.3 million.

Former Gov. Terry Branstad raised $9.68 million in the entire 2014 gubernatorial race in which he defeated Democrat Jack Hatch.

"No amount of money is going to change the fact that Fred Hubbell literally put Iowans out of work, slashed paychecks of the employees he kept around, and then gave himself multiple raises," Reynolds' campaign spokesman Pat Garrett said in a statement.

The pattern of Democratic challengers outraising the Republican incumbents has also held in Iowa's U.S. House races — but in those districts, too, the Republicans have more cash in the bank.

More: Iowa Dem U.S. House challengers raise big, but Republican incumbents have more cash

Election analysts are already predicting a highly competitive governor's race. In June, the Cook Political Report shifted its ranking from "likely" to go for Reynolds to a "toss up."

On Thursday, a second elections forecasting website, Sabato's Crystal Ball, shifted its ranking from "leans Republican" to "toss up."

The governor's race has already hit records for its cost and the numbers will only grow.

The numbers

Gov. Kim Reynolds (R, incumbent)

Total raised: $1,173,647

Total spent: $1,551,669

Cash on hand: $3,629,686

Raised to date: $6,321,146

Fred Hubbell (D)