COLUMBIA - Challenger Sen. Tommy Moore, D-Clearwater, is far behind Gov. Mark Sanford in fundraising for this year's gubernatorial race, according to campaign finance reports released this week.

Mr. Moore, however, said he is neither surprised nor concerned.

"Issues and people mean more than money," Mr. Moore said. "Money is important, there's no question about that."

Mr. Moore raised $367,000 in the fourth quarter of 2005, compared with Mr. Sanford's nearly $928,000. Mr. Moore has about $600,000 to spend, a little behind Democrat challenger Frank Willis, but far more than Republican challenger Oscar Lovelace.

The governor, though, has $4.5 million.

Mr. Moore said he intends to rely on hard work and a wide base of support to overcome the disparity. "Nobody, but nobody, can out-campaign me," he said.

Campaign finance reports for the final quarter of 2005 were due by 5 p.m. Tuesday.

In the race for state treasurer, challenger Sen. Greg Ryberg, R-Aiken, raised $457,000 last quarter, and has $413,000 left.

That far outpaces the other two challengers in the race and, perhaps, the incumbent treasurer, Grady Patterson.

Contribution information on Mr. Patterson was not available online as of Wednesday afternoon, but The Associated Press reported that members of his campaign said they raised $162,440 during the fourth quarter and had $169,916 on hand.

This week marks the first time reports have been available online, and for free.

Reach Kirsten Singleton at 803-414-6611 or kirsten.singleton@morris.com.