PERRY, Ga. (AP) Republican Gov. Nathan Deal has begun stockpiling funds in case of a December runoff against Democratic challenger Jason Carter while surpassing the total amount he raised during his 2010 run, according to recently filed campaign reports. <br />
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The disclosures filed Tuesday offer a glimpse of each candidate's support and priorities heading into the final weeks before the Nov. 4 election. Polls suggest a tight race, and Democrats see both the governor's race and a fierce battle for Georgia's open Senate seat as a path to reclaiming what they lost in 2010 when Republicans swept every statewide office. <br />
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Deal, who led the GOP wave four years ago, received just over $5 million in contributions over the last three months and has raised a total of $14.3 million for his re-election bid. Carter, a state senator and grandson of former President Jimmy Carter, reported $3 million in contributions for the quarter with just under $7 million for the campaign. <br />
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Deal's total is notable considering the former congressman raised nearly $8.4 million four years ago over the course of a contentious GOP primary and then general election match-up against former Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes. Barnes raised just shy of $9 million. <br />
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The most important figure may be how much cash each candidate has for the final stretch. Carter has a slight edge with about $2.8 million in the bank compared to Deal's $2.6 million. <br />
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Deal spent almost as much as he raised, including $4.1 million on advertising. Carter reported spending $1.2 million in TV advertising. <br />
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``When you pay your bills, it cuts into your cash on hand,'' Deal said, noting his campaign had paid for most of its advertising in advance. ``We feel very good going forward that we're going to have the revenue and resources to be able to finish the campaign.'' <br />
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The prospect of a Dec. 2 runoff looms over the race, and Deal has collected about $125,000 in contributions that would immediately be available should that occur. Carter has received just $4,000 in such funds, although both candidates would likely see a quick influx of cash. <br />
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Carter spokesman Bryan Thomas called Deal's runoff contributions a sign of unease heading into Election Day. ``They are playing for a runoff because they know they can't win on Nov. 4,'' Thomas said. <br />
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Deal spokesman Brian Robinson argued the governor has the momentum. ``We're always going to be prepared,'' Robinson said. ``It's clearer by the minute that we are going to cross 50 percent.'' <br />
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A runoff would happen if no candidate receives 50 percent plus one vote. Libertarian candidate Andrew Hunt, the former CEO of a nanotechnology firm, could play spoiler. Libertarians running statewide have consistently drawn about 3 to 4 percent of the vote. <br />
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Hunt reported receiving about $15,500 in contributions over the last quarter and had about that much in cash for the final weeks. <br />
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The Deal campaign said state lawmakers contributed roughly $550,000 to the governor. That comes after Deal made a personal plea asking for their support. Carter received at least $17,000 in contributions from his colleagues in the General Assembly. <br />
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Deal paid about $319,000 to The Sassafras Group, a consulting firm run by his daughter-in-law, Denise Deal. The vast majority was for fundraising. The campaign has said the firm receives the industry standard of 10 percent of what is raised. <br />
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Nearly 88 percent of Deal's contributions came from donors living in Georgia, compared to just over 80 percent in-state donors for Carter. <br />
