Hood had announced his intention to run just five days before, easing the fears of many who had spent months trying to persuade the three-term attorney général to run. Hood announced that the evening’s event would be his first fundraiser. A few dozen people were eager to send checks. Mark Utley (president of Utley Properties, based in Olive Branch), wrote a $10,000 check to Hood’s campaign that night. Carroll Hood, founder of Hood Petroleum in Hazlehurst and president, wrote a $5,000 check. Flip Phillips, who was a founding partner at Smith Phillips law office in Batesville wrote a $5,000 check. Robert Watson, the president of Watson Quality Ford in Jackson, donated $5,000 to Hood. Hood had already raised at least $100,000, which was 14 percent of all campaign contributions for 2018. Hood’s financial report released last week gives a glimpse at the fundraising strategy of a Democratic campaign from ruby-red Mississippi. Hood raised $716,000 in 2018 giving him an additional $1 million to spend for 2019. According to a Mississippi Today analysis, 4399,000 (or 61%) of Hood’s total 2018 fundraising came from major donations exceeding $5,000. Hood’s candidacy for gubernatorial office clearly showed that money is what he received. Hood raised $160,000 within three weeks of his Oct. 3, announcement. This represented almost a quarter the campaign’s 2018 fundraising. Mississippi’s election law doesn’t limit the amount that individuals or political action groups can donate to political campaigns. While corporations are restricted to $1,000 per candidate each year, corporations do not have a limit on the amount of donations they can make to political action committees. Utley was one of the most prominent Hood campaign donors in 2018. Former Secretary of State Dick Molpus gave $20,000 to Hood’s campaign in 2018. He is Hood’s top individual donor. Flowood attorney Tom Rhoden gave $17,500. Ridgeland attorney Patrick Malouf donated $17,500 and Timothy Porter contributed $12,500. Jackson attorney Richard Schwartz gave $11,000. Hood received significant contributions from law firms and corporations. The Biloxi-based Riverside Development Group sent Hood a $40,000 check. A check of $32,000 was written by Weisbrod Matteis & Copley, a Washington-based law firm. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, a Pennsylvania-based law firm, wrote a $25,000 cheque as did Ridgeland’s Cypress Brake Properties. Hood’s report also shows that Democratic Party power brokers arranged financial support for Hood in 2018. Hood received $11,000 from the former Attorney General Mike Moore’s law firm. This was in addition to Molpus $20,000 Hood received $4,000. From William Winter and Ronnie Musgrove, former Democratic governors. John Arthur Eaves Jr. Jackson attorney donated $4,000. Hood’s campaign contributed several funds in 2018, including $500 to California Attorney general Xavier Becerra. This former congressman replaced U.S. Senator Kamala Harris as California’s attorney general. Hood’s annual report also lists $800 monthly payments for “campaign vehicle leasing.” Hood’s 2017 campaign finance report also shows the same monthly payment. Hood’s spokesperson Ben Herring said that the Hood campaign leased the vehicle as a 2015 GMC Sierra for travel to campaign functions.