Rep. Tom Price ramps up fundraising ahead of possible Senate run in Georgia

Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) is ramping up his fundraising activity ahead of a possible campaign for the Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.). He has raised $250,000 in the last few days alone, according to a fundraising email obtained by The Hill.

{mosads}”As you’ve heard, Tom is speaking with a number of folks across the state of Georgia and listening to their observations and advice while he decides whether or not to step into the race for the Chambliss open Senate seat,” reads the email sent out by Price’s fundraiser. 

“Tom hasn’t made up his mind yet, but we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and encouragement he has received. We have raised over $250,000 into Price for Congress over the past few days!”

The congressman has four big fundraising events in Washington, D.C., lined up in the coming weeks, according to the email, including a dinner hosted by Aflac’s political action committee on Feb. 13 and a $1,500-per-head dinner on March 5.

That $250,000 haul — and the upcoming fundraisers — show that Price is very seriously mulling a bid and will be a formidable fundraiser if he does get in to the race. 

As of the end of the year, Price had $1.6 million in the bank.

A number of other Georgia Republicans are also considering running for the seat. 

According to recently filed campaign finance reports, Rep. Phil Gingrey had the most cash on hand as of the end of the year, with $1.9 million in the bank. Rep. Jack Kingston had $990,000 and Rep. Lynn Westmoreland had $425,000.

Rep. Paul Broun is all but officially in the race — his wife has said he’s running — but only has $156,000 in the bank. 

Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.), who also hasn’t ruled out a bid and would be one of Democrats’ strongest options, had only $67,000 left after a tough 2012 reelection campaign.

Those financial reports ended before Chambliss announced his retirement.