$2.6M In Schatz’s War Chest

The Hawaii senator is flush with cash to run for re-election. Rep. Gabbard has $1.5 million.

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U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz had $2.6 million in cash on hand as of Dec. 31.

According to his year-end filing with the Federal Election Commission, the Democrat raised a hefty $400,000 in the fourth quarter.

Schatz’s campaign spent only $130,000.

No challenger, either Democrat or Republican, has yet to surface for Schatz — or at least, I haven’t heard of any.

US Senator Brian Schatz and wife Linda Kwok Schatz greet Governor George Ariyoshi while second from left, Senator Daniel Akaka looks on, after speaking at the Democratic Party of Hawaii's Democratic Coordinated Election Night Celebration held at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii. 4 November 2014. photograph by Cory Lum
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and wife Linda Kwok Schatz greet former Gov. George Ariyoshi, right,and his wife Jean while former Sen. Daniel Akaka looks on during election night 2014 celebration. Cory Lum/Civil Beat

The state Office of Elections will post online late Friday its first report of who has officially filed to run this year. The filing deadline closes June 7.

U.S. Reps. Tulsi Gabbard and Mark Takai, both Democrats, have yet to draw challengers, either.

Gabbard reported $1.5 million in cash on hand, having raised about $200,000 in the fourth quarter.

Takai reported having about $500,000, having raised $155,000 in 4Q.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, another Democrat but one that is not up for re-election until 2018, had $507,000 in cash, having raised $184,000 in 4Q.

Details on contributions (e.g., from PACs) and expenses (e.g., for polling) for the year-end reports were not processed as of midday Thursday.

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