If the first fundraising report is any indication, the 2014 gubernatorial race will be both expensive and competitive.
State Sen. Vincent Sheheen (D-Kershaw) outpaced Gov. Nikki Haley by nearly $40,000. He raised $611,314.90. Haley reported $619,218.16 but approximately $47,000 of that total came after the June 30 deadline.
Perhaps even more promising for Sheheen than the dollar amounts is the depth of his support. He received donations from 1,343 different donors while Haley's money came from 887. That amounts to an average donation of $455 for Sheheen and $698 for Haley.
Still, Sheheen has some catching up to do. Haley has almost $2.5 million in cash on hand compared to Sheheen's $571,000.
Haley also has a Super PAC, The Movement Fund, which is also raising money on her behalf, though federal law prohibits it from coordinating with the campaign.
The governor has yet to officially declare her candidacy, but that appears to be a formality.
The figures were made public on Wednesday and are updated quarterly.
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