Democrat seeking to oust Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst raises $28.7M

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Washington Examiner

Iowa Democrat Theresa Greenfield raised $28.7 million in the third quarter for her bid to oust Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, another example of the Democratic fundraising tsunami that could sweep the GOP Senate majority from power.

 

Iowa is among more than a half-dozen Republican-held Senate seats Democrats have put in play this year with help from grassroots liberals who have donated tens of millions of dollars to their campaigns. In Colorado, Democratic challenger John Hickenlooper hauled in $22.6 million in July, August, and September for his race against Republican Sen. Cory Gardner. And, in Alaska, independent Al Gross, running as a Democrat, raised $9 million for his campaign to unseat Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan.

Senate Republicans also are on defense in Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, and North Carolina. However, in North Carolina, Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham is under fire for revelations that he engaged in multiple extramarital affairs, complicating his bid against Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. Cunningham raised a whopping $28.3 million in the third quarter — before news of his indiscretions surfaced.

In some marquee contests, Republicans also are reporting robust third-quarter numbers. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, up for reelection in Kentucky, raised $15.6 million. And in Michigan, where Republicans are in striking distance of picking off Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, GOP nominee John James raised $14 million. Peters also reported raising $14 million in the third quarter.