Kemp, Abrams' 'Fair Fight' Group Bring In Large Q2 Fundraising Numbers

The 2018 election for governor between Brian Kemp and Stacey Abrams may be over, but second quarter fundraising numbers show healthy war chests for parts of their political futures.

Kemp raised more than $726,000 from April to June and is sitting on more than $1.2 million just a few months into his term as governor. He raised close to $21 million in the race against Abrams, and this quarter's haul will go towards a potential rematch in 2022.

Abrams' Fair Fight PAC, part of her ongoing efforts to reform elections in Georgia, raised $3.9 million last quarter, inlcuding a million-dollar contribution from California megadonor Karla T. Jurvetson and $10,000 from actress Alyssa Milano.

But Fair Fight was also active with its expenditures, donating money to a slew of Democratic elected officials and $10,000 to 11 reproductive justice organiztions following the passage of a bill further restricting abortions in the state. 

Other lawmakers tied to the abortion debate saw differing totals this quarter. State Sen. Jen Jordan (D-Atlanta) raised $74,000 and received contributions from numerous medical professionals after her personal testimony in opposition to the Living Infants Fairness and Equality Act went viral during this year's session.

Rep. Ed Setzler (R-Acworth) received two contributions totaling $265, and in an all-caps statement on his disclosure wrote that his campaign committee was "sickened by the strident fundraising efforts of the opponents" of the abortion bill he sponsored and said that he did not solicit any funds during the second quarter.

Other notable raising and spending:

-The federal government seized $80,000 in contributions from Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck, who was indicted in May for wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering. Beck's lawyers are contesting the seizure, and the now-suspended official was raising money right up until the federal charges.

-State Sen. minority leader Steve Henson (D-Stone Mountain) raised $0 and cleaned out about half of his bank account through donations and campaign contributions.

-The Georgia Republican Party has about $258,000 on-hand, and continues to pay down its debts. The Democratic Party of Georgia has about $240,000 on-hand and transfered $72,000-ish to its federal account.

-State Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford) has cleaned out about $600,000 from her state coffers as she runs for the Republican 7th Congressional District nomination.