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Republican Hal Heiner Pours $4 Million Into Kentucky Governor's Race

Republican gubernatorial candidate Hal Heiner of Kentucky
Republican gubernatorial candidate Hal Heiner of Kentucky

Republican Hal Heiner gave his campaign for Kentucky governor $4 million out of his own pocket in the last few months, putting the Louisville businessman's campaign far ahead of any potential contenders.

Heiner's campaign announced Monday that it has raised $4.3 million, with no other Republican candidates yet in the race.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Hal Heiner of Kentucky

The new tally has Heinerwith $3.9 million in cash on hand at the end of June.Heiner's campaign manager Joe Burgan claims "it is going to take a political outsider to bring much needed changes to Frankfort. "Hal's success in job creation and growing a business makes him ideal for the job of governor," he said.  

A former Louisville councilman and mayoral candidate, Heiner chose former Lexington-Fayette County Urban County Council member K.C. Crosbie as his running mate. 

In June, Heiner launched the first TV ad of the 2015 election cycle. Meanwhile other potential GOP contenders such as Agriculture Commissioner James Comers and former U.S. Ambassador Cathy Bailey, are still timing their decisions.

Heiner has pledged not to hold any campaign fundraisers before this year's fall election in order to not interfere with the U.S. Senate race or state legislative contests.

Copyright 2014 89.3 WFPL News Louisville

Phillip M. Bailey became WFPL's political editor in 2011, covering city, state and regional campaigns and elected officials. He also covers Metro Government, including the mayor's office and Metro Council. Before coming to WFPL, Phillip worked for three years as a staff writer at LEO Weekly and was a fellow at the Academy of Alternative Journalism at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.