GOP gubernatorial candidate Donnelly has less than $11,000 in bank

GOP gubernatorial candidate Tim Donnelly’s campaign appears to be on dire financial footing, according to disclosures filed with the state Monday that show he has less than $11,000 on hand and $148,000 in unpaid bills.

Donnelly has long argued that he was running an unconventional campaign grounded in grass-roots support, not money. But in a state of nearly 18 million registered voters, he faces a steep hurdle to reach voters before June’s “top two” primary.

During the most recent fundraising period, from Jan. 1 to March 17, Donnelly raised $183,206. The bulk of the money appeared to come from small-dollar donors, several of whom gave the symbolic figure of $17.76.

The assemblyman from San Bernardino County reported nearly $374,000 in expenditures during the same period and unpaid bills. Of the $191,000 in payments made, most was for office expenses and campaign consultants. Recently departed campaign manager Jennifer Kerns was paid $11,500 during the filing period, and is owed $2,000 more.

In contrast, Donnelly’s main GOP rival, Neel Kashkari, raised about $1.3 million since he announced his bid in January, and reported about $900,000 in the bank.

Both men’s finances have been swamped by those of Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown, who reported Friday that he had nearly $20 million in the bank.

The three candidates will compete alongside others in June’s primary election, and the top two vote-getters will face off in November.

Twitter: @LATSeema

[email protected]