In a hotly contended race in Georgia's newest congressional district, state Rep. Doug Collins, R-Gainesville, continues to lead the pack in fundraising.
As of the end of June, Collins had raised nearly $360,000 and had more than $80,000 in cash on hand before 9th District Republican primary on July 31.
Radio talk show host Martha Zoller had raised $240,000 and reported having more than $36,000 left at the end of June. Retired educator Hunter Bicknell had about $20,000 in cash of $53,000 raised.
The open congressional seat in a strongly Republican area was created this year in the redistricting process after Georgia's population growth earned the state a 14th House member.
Collins spokeswoman Loree Anne Thompson said the fundraising numbers reflect Collins' strength in the race.
"It shows Doug is once again strongest in another aspect of this campaign," she said. "We're leading in fundraising, we have the best grassroots operation ... we've got people everywhere."
But Zoller spokesman Ryan Mahoney said his candidate is the one who has shown she can raise money from voters of the district.
"It's clear people want an outsider in Washington to clean things up," Mahoney said. "When you go back to the beginning of this race, people assumed Doug Collins was going to outraise and outspend and be able to buy up this election. It's clear now that there is a strong showing from Martha."
Mahoney accused Collins of raking in cash from Atlanta and Washington political insiders.
"Doug wants to continue to hide the fact that his main supporters are the lobbyists and legislators and litigators, and he wants to try to change the narrative," Mahoney said. "But people know he's the insider candidate, he's the self-proclaimed 'Gold Dome insider,' and that he's the establishment pick."
Thompson, Collins' spokeswoman, said the charge is laughable. She said Zoller "skipped out" on a candidate forum last month to attend a fundraiser in Washington hosted by SHE PAC, a political action committee to elect Republican women to office.
"Martha wants to call Doug Collins an insider, but she's going to take time away from voters to fly up to a fundraiser and try and get more D.C. money," Thompson said.
In another metro race, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson, a DeKalb County Democrat, had $42,000 cash on hand at the end of June, having raised $76,000.
Johnson continues to have a vast cash advantage over his foes. Challenger Lincoln Nunnally of Newton County had $354 in his campaign account at the end of June, while Courtney Dillard of Conyers had about $4,100 in the 4th District Democratic primary race.
Former congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, whom Johnson defeated in a 2006 Democratic runoff, is trying to gather signatures to get on the ballot as a Green Party candidate. She reported no contributions and a loan of $900 to herself.
U.S. Rep. John Lewis, an Atlanta Democrat serving his 13th term, has a substantial war chest to defend his 5th District seat against a primary challenge by former Fulton County Superior Court Judge Michael Johnson. Lewis reported $465,000 in the bank at the end of June, after bringing in about $278,000. Johnson reported about $33,000 on hand, having raised $22,000 in the quarter.
Marietta Republican Rep. Phil Gingrey reported nearly $1.78 million on hand, after bringing in $163,000 in the quarter. His two foes in the 11th District Republican primary were left in the fundraising dust: As of July 11, Michael Opitz of Marietta reported $946 on hand, while William Llop of Sandy Springs — who has almost entirely self-funded his campaign — had $69,000.
First-term Lawrenceville Republican Rep. Rob Woodall reported $135,000 on hand. His 7th District primary foe, David Hancock of Suwanee, has vowed not to take any donations. He reported spending $5,200 of his own money in the second quarter.
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