Kentucky Auditor Mike Harmon rushed into the race for Governor, but if his latest campaign finance report is any indication his campaign is struggling from the start.
Harmon has only managed to raise $13,251 in his bid to be governor. He currently has $10,048 in cash on hand, according to a report filed with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance.
The two-term state Auditor announced his campaign for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in July with a little fanfare. Harmon has surprised in two-statewide elections with dismal fundraising his first victory statewide came in 2015 against incumbent Democratic Auditor Adam Edelen. In the 2015 race, Harmon only raised $55,242. Of course, Harmon rode a GOP wave that election cycle with Matt Bevin winning the governor’s mansion. In 2019, Harmon won re-election as Auditor raising $150,173.
Multiple other Republicans are openly contemplating a bid for governor of Kentucky, including Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles, former United Nations Ambassador Kelly Craft, state Rep. Savannah Maddox, state Sen. Max Wise, and Somerset Mayor Alan Keck.
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear formally announced he was seeking a second term in office in October on the heels of landing the largest single economic development project in Kentucky history.
