The reports also show Beatty, the Republican former state senator, had about $137,605 on hand.
Democratic incumbent Mark Taylor raised $1.16 million during the period, giving him about $3 million for his re-election campaign.
Steve Stancil, a former legislator from Canton also seeking the Republican nomination for the state's No. 2 spot, raised $253,800, with 460 contributors.
With his re-election campaign still months away, Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes already has banked $10.7 million, as much money as he spent in winning the office four years ago and about 10 times the amount raised by his closest Republican competitor.
Disclosure reports showed Barnes, who in July reported $6.4 million in the bank, added another $4.6 million to his total by Dec. 31 from 3,000 contributors.
The roster of donors included bankers, lawyers, lobbyists and top businesses like Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Motorola, Anheuser-Busch, BP-Amoco Corp. and Chick-fil-A.
``I think the governor's getting a good response,'' said Kristin Oblander, Barnes' campaign finance director. ``I think the people of Georgia are responding to his message and they want to keep him in office for four more years.''
Former Republican state Sen. Sonny Perdue, who hopes to challenge Barnes in November, came in a modest second, raising $1 million, with half of it a loan to the campaign from his own pocket. Perdue had 760 contributors, including farmers, small business owners and students.
``I think in the context, I'm very encouraged,'' Perdue said. ``Roy started raising money the day after he was elected in 1998 and has been raising it every day since. That's three years and six weeks. We've been at it six weeks.''
State School Superintendent Linda Schrenko, who is also running for governor, reported raising $140,000 in total contributions with a $500,000 loan from Augusta businessman Julian Osbon pending approval from the state Ethics Commission.
``I am willing to accept his offer if the commission rules it is proper under Georgia law,'' Schrenko said. ``It has been tough in this short time span to raise large amounts of money, and we will need enough money to get my message to the people of Georgia.''
Cobb County Commission Chairman Bill Byrne, also a Republican candidate for governor, collected $206,390 with reported $91,865 on hand as of Dec. 31.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/1/200464