WASHINGTON — Republican Tom Cotton was the top money raiser among Arkansas congressional candidates during the first three months of the year, according to campaign finance reports.
Cotton raised $352,504 in his bid for the 4th District seat now held by retiring Rep. Mike Ross, D-Prescott, during the first quarter of 2012. Beth Anne Rankin, a Magnolia Republican, raised $127,236, in her bid for the same open seat.
Republican John Cowart, a former Marine, is also running in the 4th District. He raised $22,984 in the quarter, according to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Among Democrats vying in the 4th District, Hot Springs attorney Byrum Hurst raised $102,489. State Sen. Gene Jeffress had not filed an FEC quarterly report as of Monday. The reports were due Sunday if candidates raised or spent more than $5,000.
Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, was the top money raiser among the three Arkansas incumbents seeking re-election.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Crawford raised $239,371, Rep. Tim Griffin, R-Little Rock, raised $225,726 and Rep. Steve Womack, R-Rogers, raised $86,877 during the first quarter, according to FEC filings.
Three Democrats are seeking to challenge Crawford. State Rep. Clark Hall raised $98,828 during the quarter. Second Circuit Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington raised $19,955 and Economist Gary Latanich raised $18,894.
Former state Rep. Herb Rule, a Democrat who is challenging Griffin, had not filed a quarterly FEC report.
Democrat Ken Aden, who is challenging Womack, said that his campaign raised $37,894 during the first quarter of 2012. His report was not immediately available at FEC.
Cotton also ranked first among Arkansas congressional candidates in terms of cash on hand.
His campaign ended March with $638,224 in its treasury. Griffin was second at $577,867 followed by Crawford at $459,660; Womack at $289,245; Rankin at $234,818, Hall at $130,258 and Hurst at $95,310.