(By Ian Robinson/The Center Square) – Campaign finance reports show Alan Seabaugh with a strong cash advantage over Caddo Parish District Attorney James Stewart heading into the final weeks of the race.

The latest campaign filing shows Seabaugh almost doubling Stewart’s fundraising while spending less than half as much.

Seabaugh raised $161,266 in the latest campaign finance filing and spent $57,245, leaving his campaign with $504,799 on hand. Stewart reported $84,160 in contributions and $139,214 in expenditures, ending the period covered by the report with $151,603 in cash.

The cash gap between Seabaugh and Stewart started prior to this year’s fundraising. Seabaugh started the period with $400,778 on hand, compared to Stewart’s $205,802.

The filings show contrasting donor bases. Seabaugh’s donor list includes PACs, businesses and healthcare interests. Cajun PAC II contributed $6,000 and the Louisiana Nursing Home PAC gave $3,000 while Nexion Health at Pierremont contributed $3,000.

Seabaugh told The Center Square that his donor support reflects his record in the Legislature.

“I support businesses,” Seabaugh said. “I support people who create jobs. I support people who make the economy work, and they appreciate the job that I’ve done for them and I think they don’t want me to leave the Senate, but they’re willing to support somebody who is a good legislature.”

Stewart’s contributions geared more heavily towards attorneys, law firms and public officials. Attorneys Tony Clayton, Ryan Gatti and Austin Townsend all contributed $6,000, while the Foster Campbell Campaign Fund gave $5,000.

Stewart outspent Seabaugh by nearly $82,000, spending heavily on signs and local media. His campaign spent about $24,875 to Cayenne Marketing, $9,492 to Townsquare Media and $5,700 to KTBS, while Seabaugh’s biggest expenses included $24,068 for campaign mail and about $11,800 on signs and stakes.

Seabaugh said he plans campaign spending by working backward from Election Day. He said he is spending what he believes is necessary and is not intentionally holding money in reserve.

Seabaugh referenced Stewart’s 2015 reelection campaign when he said billionaire George Soros contributed almost a million dollars late in the race. He stated Stewart’s current spending pattern suggests he may be counting on another large contribution from a wealthy donor.

Records from the 2015 campaign show Soros gave $850,000 to $930,000 to Bossier City political action committee, The Louisiana Safety & Justice PAC, that paid for advertising backing Stewart.

The Center Square reached out to Stewart’s campaign and did not receive a response by the time of publication.

Voters will decide between Stewart and Seabaugh on Nov. 3. Their next campaign finance reports are due Oct. 26 and will cover contributions and spending through Oct. 14.