Charles Herbster adds another $4.2 million of his own money to his campaign warchest

OMAHA — Charles Herbster has continued largely self-funding his bid for the Republican governor’s nomination in Nebraska, giving his campaign $4.2 million in the first quarter of 2022. Individual donors and groups gave him $113,000 over the same span.

By early April, Herbster, the CEO of Conklin Co., personally funded $8.9 million of the $9.2 million his campaign had raised, state campaign finance forms showed. Individual donors and groups gave him a combined $313,000 through April 5.

University of Nebraska Regent Jim Pillen continued outraising his Republican opponents in terms of donations from individuals and group, receiving a total of nearly $2.4 million in the year’s first quarter.

By April 5, Pillen had raised a combined total of $7.7 million, including $1 million of his own money in 2021. His campaign listed nearly 2,000 donors from Nebraska, the most among the Republican candidates for governor.

State Sen. Brett Lindstrom reported raising $420,000 in the first quarter of 2022. That pushed his combined total above $2 million raised by early April.

Former State Sen. Theresa Thibodeau raised $159,000 in the first quarter of 2022 and gave herself another $10,000. She raised a combined $287,000 by April 5.

The best-known Democrat in the governor’s race, State Sen. Carol Blood, raised $50,000 in the first quarter. Blood’s fundraising tally to date was $124,000. But she lacks a competitive primary race.

Nebraska’s primary election is May 10. Early voting is underway.

Pillen leads the 2022 race in cash on hand headed into the primary’s final stretch, with $2.9 million. Lindstrom was next, with $580,000 in cash on hand.

Herbster listed $543,000 in cash on hand.

Thibodeau listed $62,000 in cash on hand.

Blood listed $36,000 in cash on hand.