By Michael McKinney
Journal Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Among the candidates listed as running for Rhode Island attorney general, Democrat Joseph M. Fernandez raised the most campaign cash in the latest reporting period, according to filings with the Board of Elections Monday night.

Fernandez, a former Providence city solicitor, amassed $67,218 from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, meaning he had a total balance of $156,640.72 in his campaign coffers.

Those figures, in reports filed at about 7:30 p.m. on Monday, outpaced the fund-raising of candidates Democrat Steven R. Archambault, a Smithfield Town Council member, and Republican Erik B. Wallin, a defense lawyer, of South Kingstown.

Term limits prohibit Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch from seeking another term. He is running for governor.

Candidates are mandated to submit quarterly their campaign money-raising to the Board of Elections. At least two other candidates have been the subject of speculation about whether they will run for attorney general.

Robert E. Rainville, a lawyer and a former probate judge in West Warwick, is listed as running for attorney general. His financial report for the most recent period is not available on the Board of Elections Web site and listed as "status pending."

State Rep. Peter F. Kilmartin, D-Pawtucket, saw his fund-raising tally rise dramatically in the October-to-December period. He started with $54,967.47 and ended with $209,377.93. Included in that is $54,305 from individuals' contributions and a $100,000 loan. Also listed is $9,775 from political action committees.

But Kilmartin has not declared he is running for attorney general in the finance reports, available on the state Board of Elections Web site. The reports list the office he is seeking as the one he currently holds, state representative.

Candidates do not have to declare the office they seek until late June, according to the Board of Elections, so what is listed on reports now could change.