Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimond spent campaign funds generously on broadcast and online ads during the second quarter of 2018 while remaining the pacesetting fundraiser in Ocean State politics.
On the GOP side, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung continues to build a fundraising advantage over other Republican candidates ahead of the upcoming September 12 primary.
Raimondo raised $1.2 million during Q2, but her campaign balance slipped slightly — to $3.9 million, from $4.3 million at the end of Q1 — due to $1.6 million in spending in April, May and June.
Beyond paying staffers and picking up expenses for various fundraising events, the governor’s campaign spending in in April, May and June includes:
— About $790,000 with media buying and strategy firm Blue Wave Media;
— About $100,000 with Virginia-based Expedition Strategies;
— A little under $2,000 with Facebook;
— More than $150,000 with Putnam Partners, a top maker of campaign ads for Democrats;
— $10,000 with Petel & Co., the direct mail firm led by Central Falls native Karen Petel;
— More than $135,000 with DC-based Rising Tide Interactive, a digital marketing agency;
— More than $25,000 with the international law firm Perkins Coie.
Raimondo’s top Democratric rival, Matt Brown, ended Q2 with a balance of $41,000 up from $25,146 at the end of Q1. Another Democrat, Spencer Dickinson, has a balance of $9,715.
Fung has a significant financial advantage over fellow Republican candidates for governor, with a balance topping $437,000, compared with $135,656 for Patricia Morgan and $82.39 for Giovanni Feroce.
