WASHINGTON -- Lawrenceville Republican Congressman Rob Woodall hasn't faced major Democratic opposition since he was first elected to the U.S. House in 2010. But two Democratic challengers outraised the Republican during the third quarter in Georgia's 7th Congressional District, new federal filings show.
Democrats Carolyn Bourdeaux, a GSU professor, and business owner Ethan Pham both raised more than $125,00 between July and the end of September, according to the documents, more than the $106,000 Woodall logged during the same period.
The duo also trounced the haul of fellow Democrat David Kim, the businessman whose fundraising dominated the field in the second quarter.
Kim disclosed just $32,000 in fundraising during the second quarter, a fraction of the $250,000 he earned during his first month in the race.
His spokesman said that since Kim was in "the best financial position of any candidate in the race" he "focused on family and events this quarter."
Woodall and Kim led the eight-person field with the most money in the bank going into October -- and five months until qualifying begins. The Republican reported $300,000 cash on hand. Kim had $237,000.
Woodall is not known as a big fundraiser among his Republican colleagues from Georgia -- his staff says he's more focused on policy and constituent service -- but his haul still trounced that of his one primary challenger, former Marine Shane Hazel. The conservative newcomer said he raised $24,000 this quarter.
The 7th District race has become one of Georgia's most crowded -- and interesting -- congressional contests this cycle. Jon Ossoff's near miss next door in the 6th District has Democrats optimistic they can compete in the Gwinnett and Forsyth-based conservative stronghold, which has rapidly diversified in recent years. The Cook Political Report still lists the 7th as "likely Republican."
Woodall has positioned himself as a staunch ally to President Donald Trump while also angling for the open chairmanship of the House Budget Committee, a powerful perch once occupied by Tom Price and Paul Ryan.
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