Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Sara Gideon raised more money between April and June 24 than the incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins for the second quarter in a row.
Gideon, who is speaker of the House in Maine, brought in $8 million, while Collins’ re-election campaign received about $3 million in donations. Gideon’s campaign raised more than double what Collins did between January and March.
The Bangor Daily News reports that the latest filings from Thursday show it is the first time Gideon’s campaign has more cash on hand than Collins.
Gideon’s campaign said it has raised $23 million to date, and spent $7 million in the last period. Collins has raised $16 million in total.
The race is already the most expensive in Maine’s history. Outside groups, super PACs and independent expenditure committees have poured additional money into the race, which Democrats see as critical to winning a majority in the Senate.
On July 14, Gideon will face two other Democratic candidates, lobbyist Betsy Sweet and attorney Bre Kidman, in the state’s primary.
Several independents in the race include attorney Tiffany Bond and conservative businessman Max Linn.