BOSTON, MA – Brian Shortsleeve’s campaign for governor today announced he had raised $152,225 in July based on bank reports submitted to the Office of Campaign and Political Finance. His total fundraising since getting in the race in May now exceeds $709,000. That is nearly three times the $247,000 that his Republican opponent raised from donors in the same period.
In every month since announcing his candidacy in May, Shortsleeve has dramatically outraised his GOP opponent Mike Kennealy. In the most recent report, Kennealy raised less than $55,000 from donors. Even given Kennealy’s month head start entering the race, Shortsleeve has outraised him by a factor of 2:1.
“Brian Shortsleeve is the only Republican who has the broad-based support and demonstrated fundraising ability to compete and win against Maura Healey,” said Shortsleeve strategist Holly Robichaud. “Kennealy’s paltry fundraising totals reveal his lack of support and show his message is not resonating with voters.”
Kennealy has loaned himself $200,000 every month to inflate his numbers. These donations exceed the aggregate legal limit for candidate loans. Kennealy is battling in court for the right to repay himself the $800,000 he has loaned the campaign. In his first financial disclosure, he was found to have accepted thousands in illegal campaign contributions he had to refund.