Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant has more than $2 million in the bank heading into the governor's race, considerably more than any of his potential opponents, campaign finance records show.
Republican Dave Dennis, also a Republican candidate for governor, reported just more than a quarter of that amount, roughly $527,200 for 2010, based on reports filed Monday.
Bill Luckett, a Delta lawyer and businessman, closed the year with $350,623 and Hattiesburg Mayor Johnny Dupree, with $65,924. Both are Democratic candidates for governor.
Pearl River County Supervisor Hudson Holliday, a Republican, reported raising $99,600 (He did not report cash on hand).
DuPree filed a campaign disclosure report by Monday's deadline but it was incomplete, the office said.
The campaign data is a critical benchmark heading into the election season. The qualifying deadline for statewide office is March 1.
"This fundraising report shows the strong support that Phil Bryant's campaign has from all across the state," Quinton Dickerson, spokesman with the Bryant campaign, said in a statement.
Bryant raised $1.8 million during the 2010 calendar year; Dennis raised $431,198; Luckett brought in $486,556 and DuPree raised $115,051.
http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20110201/NEWS/102010335/Bryant-s-campaign-war-chest-tops-2M
