Dem way ahead in fundraising in key Pa. special election

The Democratic challenger in a special congressional race in Pennsylvania has taken a big fundraising lead over his Republican opponent in a traditionally Republican-leaning district. 

Federal Election Commission filings on Thursday show Democrat Conor Lamb has raised more than $3.3 million in the first seven weeks of 2018, according to The Associated Press, nearly five times as much as state Rep. Rick Saccone (R).

The latest numbers show Lamb with a runaway lead in fundraising, though the 33-year-old prosecutor lags behind Saccone by single-digit margins in most polls going into the last three weeks before the special election to fill the seat left vacant by Rep. Tim Murphy’s (R) resignation in October.

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Lamb, who has poured money into radio and TV ads in the Pittsburgh area, has far outspent Saccone and still has $837,000 in cash on hand, compared to his opponent’s $303,000. 

The close race, in a district where President Trump won by nearly 20 points in 2016, has spurred GOP groups to spend nearly $5 million to bolster Saccone, while returning fire with attack ads toward Lamb. 

But Democrats have given only tepid support for Lamb despite the possibility of a red district upset in a year the party aims to regain control of the House, requiring them to flip 24 congressional seats. 

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spent $300,000 on Lamb’s campaign at the outset of the race but said it will not pour any more money into the close race. A spokesman for the committee said Lamb has enough resources and momentum to take down the veteran state legislator.

Trump will appear in Pennsylvania for a campaign rally later this month just outside of Pittsburgh.

Vice President Pence appeared at a fundraising event for Saccone last month in an effort to bolster his campaign.