ATLANTA – Georgia’s first experiment with new campaign finance committees that can accept unlimited donations has enabled Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams to raise a combined $94.6 million this year in their race for the governorship.

The new Georgia leadership committees — created by the General Assembly last year and signed into law by Kemp – allow major-party candidates for governor and lieutenant governor as well as top Republican and Democratic legislative leaders to raise unlimited campaign contributions.

The two gubernatorial candidates’ leadership committee hauls outstripped fundraising by their traditional campaign committees, which have much lower donation limits, typically maxing out at $24,200 per year.

Kemp’s Georgians First committee has pulled in $40.8 million since its founding in July 2021. Abrams’ One Georgia has raised even more, $53.8 million, though it did not get its start until March 2022.

During the latest filing period, which covers most of October, Abrams’ One Georgia leadership committee raised $14.5 million in cash, nearly triple what Abrams for Governor raised ($5.5 million)

. In that same period, Kemp’s Georgians First raised $11.7 million, more than double what Kemp for Governor raised ($4.2 million).

The new law has provided another avenue for out-of-state money to flow to the gubernatorial candidates more than happy to put it to use, said Charles Bullock, a political science professor at the University of Georgia.

“Campaigns will spend whatever money is available,” he said.

Bullock said it’s unclear whether the new leadership committees’ big takings will make a difference in the election results.

“Raising more money than your opponent does not ensure a win, but it helps,” agreed Kimberly Martin, an assistant political science professor at Georgia Southern University. “There are plenty of examples of people who have raised more money than their opponent and not won.”

“These leadership committees are new in Georgia, and we won’t know their full impact until after the election,” said Martin.