The campaign wallet for Republican Doug Mastriano has finally begun to swell in the Pennsylvania gubernatorial race, but it’s still dwarfed by the cash that’s been stacked by his Democratic opponent.
In the latest filings with the Pennsylvania Department of State, the Friends of Doug Mastriano committee shows $3.1 million in donations for the fourth pre-election cycle of the year. His $2.5-million in carryover cash is six times the $397,319 ending balance from the third cycle.
Still, Mastriano’s $2.5 million in cash-on-hand is eclipsed by the $10.9-million war chest held by Democrat and incumbent Attorney General Josh Shapiro.
During the fourth cycle of the year, Shapiro added $25.4 million to his coffers and spent $27.9 million. The $40 million he’s expended to date for this election is approximately 20 times the $2.3 million spent by Mastriano.
Shapiro has raised $4.5 million; $2.9 million; $4.6 million; and $25.4 million in each of the first four cycles, respectively, while Mastriano has raised $372,554; $191,845; $162,095; and $3.1 million during these same periods.
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These new filings represent a snapshot of the candidates’ financial status through Sept. 19. The deadline to file for this cycle was Sept. 27.
Polling opened this summer with a USA TODAY/Suffolk University survey showing Shapiro with a 4-point lead over Mastriano. Subsequent polls have suggested that Shapiro’s lead has increased to varying degrees, including double digits. The polling represents a snapshot of the campaign and is liable to change as the election nears.
Election Day is Nov. 8.
Bruce Siwy is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network’s Pennsylvania state capital bureau. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @BruceSiwy.