Former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann led all 2nd Congressional District candidates in fundraising in the first quarter of 2012, but City Councilwoman Tulsi Gabbard was close behind.
Hannemann’s campaign on Thursday reported raising $250,000 from January through March, compared with $213,000 reported by the Gabbard campaign.
Their campaigns announced fundraising totals ahead of Sunday’s deadline for quarterly spending reports to be filed with the Federal Election Commission.
With the primary election just four months away, Hannemann still holds an overall advantage with about $785,000 raised for the current election cycle and $630,000 in cash on hand.
"The past few months have been immensely gratifying as we reach more and more people, hear their thoughts on the direction our state and nation should be headed, and earn their support through our message of growing the economy, improving our education system, and preserving hard-earned benefits of working men and women," Hannemann said in a news release.
Gabbard has raised $571,000 to date and has about $465,000 on hand, her campaign said.
"What we’re hearing from voters across the state is that they want to send to Congress someone who will represent regular folks, not the rich and powerful giant corporations and Wall Street banks that our opponent represents," Gabbard said in a statement.
Both are running in the Democratic primary for the 2nd Congressional District, representing rural Oahu and the neighbor islands. Also in the primary are former Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chief Advocate Esther Kiaaina, Hilo attorney Bob Marx and Honolulu attorney Rafael Del Castillo.
Marx reported contributions of $10,000 for the quarter, along with $112,000 of his own money toward the campaign. He has raised $335,000 for the election cycle so far, including $306,000 of his own money, with no campaign debt and about $15,000 in cash on hand.
"I haven’t received a dime from a political action group, which is usually important in financing for better or for worse," Marx said. "I’m not saying I’m trying to be above it all, but it really is a good feeling to know it’s just your constituents, your friends, your colleagues and the people that know you that are supporting you and pushing you in the campaign."
Reports from other candidates were not immediately available.
Small-business consultant Matthew DiGeronimo recently declared his intent to run for the Republican nomination.
