AL Reporter: Ainsworth pulls away from pack in fundraising for Lieutenant Governor

State Representative William Ainsworth (R-Guntersville) currently leads the way in funds raised for the Lieutenant Governor race.

Ainsworth raised more than $405,000 in June and all the donors were classified as individual or business donors. He ended June with over $390,000 in total.

“Much like Donald Trump’s campaign, ours is a grassroots movement, and I deeply appreciate the early enthusiasm from our donors and supporters,” Ainsworth said in a statement.

Ainsworth has been the State representative since 2014.

State Senator Rusty Glover (R-Semmes), another candidate for Lieutenant Governor, raised $13,800 in the month of June. His campaign has over $55,000 in fundraising.

He has been a senator since 2006 and was a state representative for one term before. His district is in Mobile County.

Board of Education Member and Lieutenant Governor Candidate Mary Scott Hunter reported more than $6,700 in June. Hunter is expected to kickstart her fundraising later this month. She ended the month with nearly $50,000 in campaign funds.

She also faces an allegation that she took part in engineering the downfall of a state superintendent candidate.

An internal report from the Alabama State Department of Education found Hunter conspired with four other ALSDE officials to undermine Dr. Craig Pouncey’s candidacy for the state superintendent position left vacant by Dr. Tommy Bice’s resignation.

Senator Gerald Dial (R-Lineville) announced earlier this month that he will continue to investigate the matter through a Joint Legislative Committee.

Ainsworth, Glover and Hunter are all running as Republicans.

The Lieutenant Governor position was left vacant when Kay Ivey ascended to governor after Governor Bentley’s resignation in April.

See the article here.