As soon as he entered the gubernatorial race, state Sen. Joe Kenney (R-Wakefield) faced an uphill battle against Gov. John Lynch (D-Hopkinton) and recent financial filings highlight that challenge.

According to reports filed with the secretary of state, Kenney raised $39,825 for his campaign. Kenney spent $28,956, leaving his political action committee with a surplus of $10,867.

On the other hand, Lynch was able to raise $636,632 for his re-election bid. During the course of the general election, Lynch spent $505,514 and left his committee with $131,118 in the bank.

In the final week of the campaign, Lynch spent $68,051; $21,755 of which went to the New Hampshire Democratic Party. While Kenney spent $15,449 in the remaining days of his campaign, most of which was spent on costs relating to his campaign.

Lynch defeated Kenney by 289,758 votes. In 2006 Lynch defeated former state Rep. Jim Coburn (R-Windham) by 194,472 votes.