If campaign contributions are any indication, the race for the 3rd Congressional District is no longer heating up, it’s on fire.
Democratic challenger Carolyn Long upped the ante this quarter, bringing in more than $1.75 million in contributions. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, raised $602,011 in the same time frame. This quarter’s Federal Elections Commission filing includes contributions made between July 1 and Sept. 30.
Long raised more than five times what she amassed in July and pulled in more than three times as many contributions as the incumbent.
Individual contributions also show a stark difference between the candidates. While Herrera Beutler received $384,170 from individuals, Long collected $1,489,650 this quarter. Herrera Beutler took in $213,804 from political action committees, whereas Long accepted $153,843 from PACs.
In the last quarter, only $128,639 separated Herrera Beutler and Long, although Herrera Beutler held the lead. This round, just weeks before the election, Long out-raised Herrera Beutler by nearly $1.2 million.
A quick look at PAC funding also tells a story. For example, Herrera Beutler received contributions from Safari Club International ($4,000), the National Beer Wholesalers Association ($10,000), the National Community Pharmacists Association ($10,000) and Koch Industries Inc. ($2,500).
Long has received money from the American Federation of Teachers ($7,500), the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union ($10,000), Emily’s List ($5,000) and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union ($7,500).
Long said her campaign has received more than 70,000 individual contributions this cycle, with an average donation of $29.76. She’s also easily out-raised the last three Democratic challengers in the 3rd Congressional District.
“I’m deeply grateful for the grass-roots support that has been pouring into our campaign since the primary,” Long said in a press release. “The enthusiasm for our campaign to protect Medicare and Social Security, increase access to affordable healthcare, and lower the cost of prescription drugs isn’t just shown in our fundraising numbers — we’ve seen hundreds of volunteers turn out to knock doors and phone bank every week since the primary.”
In the primary, Herrera Beutler led Long with 42 to 35 percent of the vote. A poll released this week by Long’s campaign shows she’s leading by 2 points. The poll found voters preferred Long 45 to 43 percent.
Herrera Beutler’s campaign spokesperson Angeline Riesterer said the fundraising gap was expected.
“Challengers generally get a big boost in fundraising post-primary, after their party’s donors find out who their nominee is,” Riesterer said. “We have enough resources to execute our campaign plan, and Jaime will win the election.”
