JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Not having a 2014 opponent is giving State Auditor Tom Schweich, a Republican, extra time to build up his campaign war chest heading in to a possible 2016 run for governor.

On Monday, Schweich announced that his campaign had ended the first three months of the year with over $834,700 on hand – raising more than $257,500 in the first quarter of 2014. Schweich’s campaign noted that this marked the fourth quarter in which Schwiech has raised more than $230,000.

“I appreciate all of the generous support I have received from people across Missouri,” Schweich said. “This support is one of the reasons that the Democrats were unable to field an opponent for this cycle – the first time this has happened in 144 years – and I want to thank everyone who made this possible.”

With the 2014 election being only a formality, Schweich’s attention is quietly turning to 2016. House Speaker Catherine Hanaway has already announced her candidacy for the Republican nomination, and Democratic Attorney General Chris Koster has effectively cleared the field for his party’s nod.

In her first quarter with a fundraising quarter since announcing her candidacy, Hanaway actually raised more than Schweich did this quarter. Her campaign committee — boosted by St. Louis billionaire Rex Sinquefield – posted nearly $308,000 in the first three months of the year. That is supplemented by $50,000 in the Citizens for A Stronger Missouri PAC supporting her candidacy.

“I have been overwhelmed by the number of people who have supported and donated to my campaign for Governor,” Hanaway said in a statement. “There is a real hunger out there for conservative leadership in Missouri. I am confident we are on the right track to building a grassroots effort that will have the resources to take back the Governor’s Mansion in 2016.”

Koster has yet to post his first quarter totals.