Feingold raises $2.7M in Wisconsin

Russ Feingold, the Democratic Senate candidate in Wisconsin, raised nearly $2.7 million in the fourth fundraising quarter of 2015.

The former Wisconsin senator’s latest haul brings his 2015 fundraising total to more than $7.4 million. Feingold has $4.8 million cash on hand, according to WisPolitics.com.

{mosads}Feingold said in a release: “The people of Wisconsin are making it clear that they want leaders who will fight for middle class and working families — not just a select few. I’m extremely grateful to have their backing and their confidence.”

Feingold is challenging Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) to a rematch in what is considered one of the most competitive races of this cycle. In the 2010 election, Johnson edged out Feingold by nearly 5 points, according to RealClearPolitics.

Johnson has yet to release his fourth quarter numbers, but his campaign announced on Thursday that it hired Kari Hofer as Wisconsin finance director and Eric Sherred as digital director.

At the end of the third fundraising quarter in 2015, Johnson raised about $4.6 million last year and had more than $3.5 million cash on hand, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Senate Democrats and Republicans are in a heated battle over the majority this cycle.

Democrats will need to net five Senate seats in 2016 to regain majority in the upper chamber. Democrats are considered to have an advantage, having to defend only 10 seats while the GOP is defending 24.