(Editors note: This story was reposted from earlier Friday to reflect a comment from Kobach’s campaign manager).
Republican Kris Kobach’s gubernatorial campaign ended last year about $29,000 in the hole after losing to Democrat Laura Kelly.
In his last report filed late Thursday, Kobach reported a negative cash balance of $29,340 as of Dec. 31.
Kobach’s campaign manager, state Rep. J.R. Claeys, said in a text message early Friday that all bills are paid.
He said the campaign received media placement refunds after the reporting period closed at the end of the year that are not reflected in the Jan. 10 report.
Overall, Kobach spent about $1.7 million from July 27 through the end of the year — the time period covering the general election campaign.
He spent about $1.4 million from July 27 through Oct. 25 and another $304,000 from Oct. 26 through the end of the year.
Running mate Wink Hartman, who contributed millions to Kobach’s bid for governor, added $80,000 in loans in the closing days of the general election campaign and another $7,100 on Dec. 17, records show.
By comparison, Kelly spent about $2.9 million from July 27 through the end of the year, besting her Republican rival by about $1.2 million.
Independent Greg Orman, meanwhile, spent about $2.2 million during 2018 and 2017, which were used to measure spending since he didn’t have a primary.
Orman finished the campaign about $1,300 in the red.
