Money, Money, Money - See Who's Ahead in Fundraising Race for RI Governor

Money, Money, Money - See Who's Ahead in Fundraising Race for RI Governor

With primary day less than five months away, here’s a look at the first quarter campaign hauls for Rhode Island’s top gubernatorial fundraisers.

 

Who’s Ahead

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Former CVS exec and corporate CEO Helena Buonanno Foulkes had the biggest fundraising quarter, hauling in over $1.3 million dollars — but more on that below. 

Foulkes now boasts the largest campaign war chest with over $1.5 million cash on hand. 

Governor Dan McKee is the only other candidate sitting on more than a million dollars cash on hand -- Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea has just under $900,000.

 

SLIDES: See 2022 First Quarter Fundraising Totals BELOW

 

Who’s Self-Funding

As part of her Q1 totals, Foulkes’ campaign finance report discloses she poured a personal loan of $400,000 into her campaign account. This brings her loans to the campaign to $500,000.

She isn't the only big self-funder for the quarter, however — Republican Ashley Kalus, who officially declare her candidacy in February, cut herself a check for $500,000 to fund her campaign. 

For the limited quarter, Kalus posted just over $13,000 in fundraising, in a mix of in-state and out-of-state donors. 

 

Who’s Polling 

This past week, Gorbea’s campaign released a poll memo that they say shows Gorbea leading in the Democratic primary governor.

According to the campaign, Gorbea leads the field with 30%; McKee placed second with 24%; former Secretary of state Matt Brown was at 10%; and Foulkes at 7%. Luis Daniel Muñoz was at 1%.

The poll, which was conducted by Lake Research Partners — Gorbea’s polling firm — showed that 26% of voters were reportedly undecided.