Mayoral candidate Matt Wiltshire raised $504,000 from individual donors during the second quarter, bringing his total to more than $1.9 million raised for the current election cycle.
The former MDHA executive and economic development aide to three mayors has consistently raised the most money of any candidate in the field. Only Jim Gingrich, who loaned himself $2 million when he announced his candidacy in the spring, has raised more. Counting a loan to his campaign, Wiltshire has raised more than $2.2 million.
“My vision for Nashville is a place where everyone has a shot to achieve their dreams and fulfill their full potential, and it’s clear that is resonating,” said Wiltshire in a release. “I’m honored by the outpouring of grassroots support we’re receiving.”
The second quarter ended on June 30. All local campaigns are required to file their disclosures with the Davidson County Election Commission by July 10.
Wiltshire was the first to announce his total. All eyes will be on the late-arriving candidates and their first full quarter of fundraising, including Heidi Campbell, Alice Rolli, Vivian Wilhoite and Jeff Yarbro. Campbell and Wilhoite declared their candidacies after the March 31 deadline for first-quarter disclosures. Rolli raised $64,000 in the 14 days her campaign was active before April 1 while Yarbro raised $136,000 in 44 days.
Wiltshire has received criticism from some Democrats for a fundraiser he held in Texas in April that was hosted by co-hosted Scott Knippa, the former treasurer for Ted Cruz’s U.S. Senate campaign. Wiltshire’s campaign manager Kyle Buda said that the fundraiser was at the house of Wiltshire’s cousin, who is married to Knippa. Wiltshire has extended family members in Texas. Buda said 96 percent of the campaign’s donations have been raised from Tennesseans.
Disclosure: Matt Wiltshire has donated to the Nashville Banner. Financial supporters play no role in the Banner’s journalism.