Gregg ahead of Pence for quarterly campaign contributions

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana Democrat John Gregg outpaced Indiana Gov. Mike Pence in campaign funds raised during the first quarter of this year, but remains behind the incumbent overall.

Gregg's campaign reported nearly $1.87 million for the first three months of 2016, compared to the $1.53 million that the Republican governor's campaign said it has taken in. Gregg has $2.5 million less in his coffers than the incumbent, who reports $7.6 million.

"These are exceptionally strong fundraising numbers, especially for a challenger," Gregg for Governor campaign manager Tim Henderson said in a statement. "It's further proof that Hoosiers are fed up with Mike Pence constantly embarrassing our state with his ideological pursuits."

Indiana University political science professor Dr. Marjorie Hershey said a large gap between funding for an incumbent and a challenger is to be expected.

"We will have the resources necessary to execute our campaign and promote Governor Pence's record of achievement," Marty Obst, Pence's campaign director, said in an email statement.

The Democratic challenger - a former Indiana Speaker of the House - has received nearly $400,000 from labor organizations and a $200,000 contribution from Chicago entrepreneur Fred Eychaner, bringing his total on-hand to $5.1 million, according to state campaign finance records released Friday.

The race for the state's top position is expected to be close as Pence narrowly defeated Gregg in 2012 and has since faced a backlash over social issues including gay rights and abortion.

Nearly 78 percent of Gregg's money is from Indiana while less than half of Pence's funds are from in-state.

"While these are certainly good figures for Mr. Gregg, that could change," Hershey said. "In that case, this is a good indicator that there's been a lot of water under the bridge and there are groups that would really like to see Pence defeated."

Pence has gained backing from wealthy individual donors as well as $500,000 from the Republican Governors Association's Right Direction Political Action Committee. It gave the governor more than $1 million last year.

Still, Hershey says it is too early to make predictions on the outcome of the race.

"You just don't want to make too much of it at this point because it could change and money doesn't always equal victory," Hershey said. "This is April and we have a lot of time to go before November."