Brian Shortsleeve, a enterprise capitalist and former MBTA government, raised greater than $135,000 within the 24 hours since he introduced he was operating for governor as a Republican Monday morning, his marketing campaign stated in an announcement to the Herald.
Shortsleeve’s haul, which can’t be verified with state marketing campaign finance information till fundraising reviews are filed on the finish of the month, is greater than his Republican major opponent, Mike Kennealy, raised within the first month of campaigning.
Shortsleeve, a 52-year-old Barnstable resident, stated he was “truly humbled by the outpouring of support for my candidacy.”
“Our fundraising strength shows that people are ready to invest in a candidate who will fight for real change by ending the migrant crisis, stopping out-of-control spending, and making Massachusetts affordable for everyday people,” he stated in an announcement Tuesday.
In his marketing campaign launch video, Shortsleeve drew closely upon his time with the U.S. Marine Corps, arguing that Massachusetts wants a veteran to chop spending, cut back taxes, and make the state reasonably priced for households and companies.
He argued he was the appropriate particular person to “restore common sense to the commonwealth and put Massachusetts first.”
“This is our home where we’re raising our boys, and I’m not letting it fall apart without a fight. This isn’t a campaign. It’s a mission for Massachusetts, and I’m ready. You in?”
A spokesperson for Kennealy stated “we will wait and see what the final numbers look like when they are reported.”
Kennealy raised greater than $311,000 in April after launching his bid for governor at the beginning of the month, in line with marketing campaign finance information. Greater than 60% of the funds he raised final month got here from a $200,000 mortgage
The 57-year-old from Lexington additionally took in a string of contributions in April that surpassed the utmost quantity a person can donate to a candidate for elected workplace beneath state legislation.
Kennealy’s marketing campaign stated the over-the-limit donations have been a results of some donors protecting bank card charges and {couples} donating by a single transaction. A spokesperson for Kennealy beforehand stated the marketing campaign was within the technique of refunding extra donations.
High brass on the Massachusetts Democratic Celebration referred to as on marketing campaign finance regulators final week to open an investigation into the surplus donations.
Kennealy has pledged to seed his marketing campaign with $2 million from his private wealth, whereas Shortsleeve stated he’s not contributing any of his personal money on the outset of his run.
Each Republicans are nonetheless far in need of Gov. Maura Healey’s almost $3 million marketing campaign conflict chest. The governor raised greater than $164,000 in April and over $404,000 in March, in line with state information.
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