By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
State Rep. Will Ainsworth, R-Guntersville, state Sen. Rusty Glover, R-Semmes, and Public Service Commission President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh are all running in a competitive race for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor.
The campaigns raised $2,390,411 in 2017 and have already spent $527,218.
Ainsworth reported receiving $763,960 in contributions, spending $154,786, and receiving non-monetary donations of $6,277. Ainsworth also borrowed $500,084leaving him with a cash balance of $1,109,258 entering 2018.
Cavanaugh transferred over $582,916 from her previous campaign account, raised another $758,678, spent $47,382, had $7,783 in non-monetary contributions and an ending balance of $711,296 to bring to the 2018 campaign.
Glover reported contributions of $119,098. Glover spent $91,459 and had non-monetary contributions of $1,499 had other receipts of $15,000 for an ending balance of $42,639.
State School Board Member Mary Scott Hunter dissolved her campaign account and decided to run for state senate instead.
No Democrat has announced at this point that they are running for lieutenant governor. In 2014 former state Rep. James Fields ran for the office. In 2018 Fields has filed his finance reports in the very crowded governor’s race. There is some speculation from politicos that Fields may run as the Democrat in the race.
Kay Ivey was elected as lieutenant governor in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. When Governor Robert Bentley resigned she was elevated to governor of Alabama. The position is currently vacant. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, assumed Kay’s powers as president of the Senate for the remainder of the term.
The major party primaries will be on June 5, 2018.
