Kentucky Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Craft listens to a question from one of her supporters during a campaign stop in Elizabethtown, Ky., Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Photo by Timothy D. Easley | Associated Press

Former United Nations Ambassador Kelly Craft reported loaning her campaign another $2,250,000 the past 15 days, according to the 15-day pre-primary report filed to the Kentucky Registry for Election Finance. 

The latest loan brings Craft’s total to just under $9.3 million after her campaign reported a $7 million loan in its 30-day pre-primary report. 

Her campaign has raised just under $11 million overall. They spent $1.4 million in the past 15 days and $9.6 million overall, with the vast majority of that going toward TV ads. They have $1.2 million on hand heading into the final days before the May 16 primary but can raise or loan the campaign additional funds. 

The Commonwealth PAC supporting Craft, but isn’t tied to her campaign, didn’t raise funds in the past 15 days. This comes after reports showed that Craft’s husband, Joe Craft, a billionaire coal magnate, donated $1.5 million. 

Recent reports show that Craft’s $1.5 million donation to the PAC might have violated state election finance law, leading KET host Renee Shaw to raise the question during a recent debate. 

“The head of the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance said, ‘It certainly raises concerns about potential coordination between your campaign and the PAC, which is a violation of state law.’ Your response?” Shaw asked. 

“I was not aware of my husband’s contributions,” Craft said. 

The race’s frontrunner, Attorney General Daniel Cameron, reported raising $82,000 in the past 15 days. He has raised nearly $1.5 million overall. He spent roughly $334,000 in the latest report and more than $1.1 million overall. He has $341,000 on hand. 

At a Wednesday campaign event at PeeWee’s Place in Crescent Springs, Cameron said his campaign is still raising good money. 

“We’re still raising good money and expect that to be reflected in the report that will come out today,” Cameron said. 

Bluegrass Freedom Action PAC, which supports Cameron, raised $811,000 and spent more than $1 million. 

Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles is polling third and raised $34,000 in the past 15 days and has raised $1.2 million overall. He has roughly $450,000 on hand. 

Quarles was late to get into advertising but has spent nearly a half million, with a little over $310,000 going to advertising. 

Somerset Mayor Alan Keck raised just over $14,000 and $325,000 overall. His campaign spent just under $34,000 in the latest report and $291,000 overall. They have $34,500 on hand. 

Former Northern Kentucky Eric Deters raised $778,000 overall, most of that coming from his wallet. He loaned himself another $109,000, bringing his total self-funded amount to $677,000. He spent $105,000 on this report and $765,000 overall. He has just under $13,000 on hand. 

State Auditor Mike Harmon raised $470 and just over $85,000 overall. He spent $293 in the past 15 days and $71,000 overall. He has $14,600 on hand. 

Mark Payne is the government and politics reporter for LINK nky. Email him at mpayne@linknky.com. Twitter.