Reeves spent $3.1 Million on his campaign to become governor, but the cash in the J. Tate Reeves committee has risen $46,097 from $5.29 million. According to the latest campaign finance report, filed July 10, with the Secretary-of-State’s office he has not made any campaign expenditures from his J. Tate Reeves accounts. Instead, he’s raising money – $3.6million so far this year. He deposits the money with the Tate For Governor Committee and makes campaign expenditures from that account. This is a significant distinction. The $5.29million in the J. Tate Reeves Committee was not raised before January 2018. Legislation was passed in 2017 to stop politicians from using campaign funds for personal expenses. The money was used to buy clothes, boots, and other personal items. When politicians leave office, they can take the cash from the account with them. The new law was enacted in January 2018. However, there would not be any restrictions on how funds raised prior to January 2018. This loophole didn’t mean funds could be spent on a first-in, first-out basis. The loophole did not allow for a politician to have $100,000 in his campaign war chest prior to January 2018. However, the new law did not make it so that if the politician spent $100,000 on his campaign, the money that could be used for personal expenses would disappear. No. This election cycle, politicians have created separate accounts for money – old and new. Nearly all politicians have spent their new money first, and kept the rest for personal expenses. Reeves has the most money and is investing to increase it. According to campaign finance forms filed with Secretary of State’s, the J. Tate Reeves Committee has earned $57,297.25 through investment earnings and paid $10,617 taxes in the current calendar year. According to the firm’s website, campaign finance forms reveal that investment earnings were originated at the address of Coker & Palmer where Reeves’ spouse, Elee is a financial advisor. Parker Briden, spokesperson for Reeves, stated that in fact the lieutenant governor is a financial analyst and makes decisions about investments. The firm does not get a commission. He stated that this is the correct way to manage an investment. “This activity has been reported for years and is fully in compliance with Mississippi ethics guidelines.” In fact, it is not prohibited to invest campaign funds in state laws. While many campaigns seek to earn interest from their political contributions, few have accounts that are as large as Reeves. Reeves generates as much income as the lieutenant governor. Hood has $629,224 of so-called “old money” that can be used for any purpose. Hood is also spending the money he has raised since January 2018. As of July 10, 2018, he had spent $867 827. His campaign stated that the money would be used before the campaign ends. The statement stated that Jim Hood was focused on winning the support of Mississippi voters in order to be elected as the next governor. “To keep up with the millions in corporate kickbacks taken Tate Reeves, we campaign is prepared to spend all available campaign funds to accomplish that goal,” Briden stated that future campaign finance reports will also show that Reeves will be using old money. July 30 is the deadline for filing the next campaign finance report. Briden stated, “Our next report will reveal that this money was spent on the 2019 campaign and we will require it all, plus more, to stop Washington Liberals from putting Jim Hood into the governor’s seat.” Briden said that “on the subject of money raised by the old law, Mississippi Today would have a great chance to ask Jim Hood hard questions about his personal use of campaign money.” It’s past due.” The Clarion Ledger reported that Hood had spent $268,000 on credit cards, but this was before the law was changed. Hood said that he complied with the law in the form it was written and is now following the new law. All credit card purchases must now be itemized. Hood continues to pay $804 monthly from the old money fund for Hood’s truck.