But he had a head start on fellow Democrat Janet Mills, who raised the most during the last 6 months of 2017. Shawn Moody leads the Republican field, contributing $150,000 of his own money.

The fund, often tapped to balance state budgets, may need more money if enough candidates quality for public financing.

The body shop entrepreneur from Gorham joined the Republican Party last month and is planning a news conference Tuesday.

John Jenkins also served in the Maine Legislature and won a write-in campaign to become Auburn’s mayor.