HELENA — Gov. Steve Bullock is ramping up fundraising for his 2016 campaign.
Although he has not officially declared his candidacy for a second term, the Democrat raised $221,000 during the first three months of this year. He raised $318,000 in 2014, including $141,000 in the final three months of last year.
Lee Newspapers of Montana reports Bullock has raised nearly $540,000 since the beginning of 2014. His campaign has spent $89,000, leaving about $451,000 in the campaign account in late March.
Three little-known candidates have filed papers with the Office of Political Practices to raise money to run for governor. They are Republican Mark Perea of Helena, Independent Christopher Zarcone of Kalispell and Libertarian Ron Vandevender of Cascade. Vandevender ran for governor in 2012.