Congressional Republicans Have Fundraising Edge

Although a couple of Democratic challengers have managed to raise significant resources, they have fallen well short of the Republican incumbents they hope to unseat this November.

Democratic former State Representative Pam Byrnes, running to unseat U.S. Representative Tim Walberg (R-Tipton) in the 7^th U.S. House District, has raised $1.2 million including more than $250,000 in the last quarter. After spending $911,306, Ms. Byrnes is left with $279,500 cash on hand. Incumbent Congressman Walberg has raised $1.7 million, including $376,841 this quarter – but has more than $1 million left in cash on hand.

In the 1^st U.S. House District, Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek (R-Crystal Falls) has raised $1.8 million ($379,281 this quarter) and has better than $500,000 in cash on hand heading into the last three weeks of the race. Meanwhile, Democratic challenger Jerry Cannon has raised $809,599, including $244,254 in the last quarter, and is left with $169,152 cash on hand.

In the two open seats, vacated by current U.S. Representatives Mike Rogers (R-Brighton) and Kerry Bentivolio (R-Milford), the Republican candidates have secured significant financial advantages as well.

Former State Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester) has raised $822,308 and has $276,082 cash on hand after raising $345,022 in the last quarter. Democratic candidate Eric Schertzing of East Lansing has raised $350,559 and is left with $150,390 in the bank.

Birmingham attorney David Trott, who won the Republican Primary over Congressman Bentivolio in the 11^th Congressional District, has raised $4.3 million and still has $1.3 million in the bank. Bobby McKenzie, the Democratic candidate in the race, had not yet posted financial reports at the time of publication.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, October 17, 2014 10:11 AM
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