In what many use as a gauge to measure campaign viability and overall support, the first round of campaign finance reports was released this week showing some Alaska gubernatorial candidates flush with money, while others are struggling to keep up.

Republicans Matt Heilala leads all candidates, having raised more than $1.36 million with over $1 million still on hand. He was followed by fellow GOP candidates Treg Taylor who reported $880,309 raised and $724,630 on hand, along with Adam Crum – $347,805 raised and $179,741 on hand.

Tom Begich was the leading Democrat with $347,805 raised and $214,956 on hand.

Shelley Hughes and Bernadette Wilson both raised about $306,000 to round out the top six.

Some candidates used the reports as evidence that they have strong support, while others downplayed the contributions.

Taylor’s campaign announced that the results reflect a “depth and breadth” of support and said the money underscores “strong in-state backing.”

Hughes downplayed the financial reports.

“While some campaigns have focused on fundraising more than anything else in this first stretch and have chosen to measure success by dollars raised, I believe leadership is measured by trust earned, ideas developed, and time spent listening to the people we seek to serve,” she said. “I’m very proud of my fundraising results, but I have invested my energy traveling the state, sitting down with families, workers, business owners, and community leaders, and putting forward detailed action plans for Alaska.”

Below is a complete list of the campaign contributions, and cash on hand.

— Matt Heilala (Republican): $1,364,236 ($1,009,480 cash on hand)

— Treg Taylor (Republican): $880,309 ($724,630 cash on hand)

— Adam Crum (Republican): $347,985 ($179,741 cash on hand)

— Tom Begich (Democrat): $347,805 ($214,956 on hand)

— Shelley Hughes (Republican): $306,510 ($158,711 cash on hand)

— Bernadette Wilson (Republican) $305,984 ($64,794 cash on hand)

— Click Bishop (Republican): $283,605 ($130,258 cash on hand)

— Matt Claman (Democrat): $229,407 ($226,201 on hand)

— Dave Bronson (Republican): $217,284 ($130,064 cash on hand)

— Nancy Dahlstrom (Republican): $17,809 ($4,880 cash on hand)

— Edna DeVries (Republican): $10,985 ($9,359 cash on hand)

— Bruce Walden (Republican): $2,192 (2,292 cash on hand)

— James Parkin (Republican): $1,799 ($378 cash on hand)

— Jessica Faircloth (Independent): $0.00

— Henry F. “Hank” Kroll (Republican): $0.00

— Meda DeWitt (Independent/Nonpartisan): No report

— Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (Democrat):  No report

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