Democrat Matt Lieberman said Thursday he will report raising more than $700,000 in the three months since he entered the U.S. Senate race against Republican Kelly Loeffler, a haul he hopes will prove he’s a formidable candidate in a fluid contest.
Lieberman is the only well-financed Democrat so far in the race against Loeffler, who was appointed in December to the seat held by retired U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson. The political newcomer hopes to build a financial advantage before a better-known Democrat backed by party leaders enters the race.
Lieberman relied in part on the fundraising network built by his father, former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman. The elder Lieberman, a four-term senator who was Al Gore’s running mate in 2000, serves as an informal adviser to his son’s campaign.
The campaign didn’t disclose how much cash it has on hand. It said the contributions came from residents in more than 180 Georgia cities and towns.
Lieberman’s first fundraising haul pales in comparison to some other U.S. Senate candidates who reported seven-figure collections during their first quarter. But it compares more favorably with contenders competing for Georgia’s other U.S. Senate seat.
Jon Ossoff, an investigative journalist and formidable fundraiser, leads the group of Democrats seeking to challenge Republican David Perdue by collecting nearly $2 million since he joined the race in September.
But a trio of other candidates who have yet to disclose their latest figures each reported raising less than half of what Lieberman said he collected during the last fundraising quarter.
Lieberman, an educator and entrepreneur, is certain to face significant opposition in the November special election to fill the remaining two years of Isakson’s term. Several high-profile Democrats are considering a run, including DeKalb chief executive Michael Thurmond and the Rev. Raphael Warnock.
Loeffler, a wealthy financial executive, has pledged to spend at least $20 million of her own fortune on the race. Another Republican, U.S. Rep. Doug Collins, is also weighing whether to run with support from some of President Donald Trump’s network of allies.
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