Sen. Brown hits record $2.6 million raised in 2Q
A record $2.6 million flowed into U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown’s re-election coffers in the second quarter of 2017.
The torrid fundraising by Brown’s campaign committee from April through June follows a first quarter in which Friends of Sherrod Brown raised $2.4 million. That brings his war chest to $6.7 million for the 2018 race.
Brown is gearing up for a rematch next year against Republican Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, who lost in 2012 against Brown, but is traditionally a formidable fundraiser.
In a statement, Brown’s campaign said the $2.6 million raised in the quarter just ended is the most he’s raised during an off-election-year in his 14-year Senate career.
Mandel’s campaign said it would release its secondquarter totals later this week.
In the first quarter of 2017, Mandel raised $1.1 million, bringing his cash on hand to $2.4 million at the end of March. Another $300,000 in “dark money” — the ultimate sources of which were not disclosed — went to a Mandel-aligned super PAC.
In its statement, the Brown campaign said its robust fundraising numbers translate into support for the candidate.
“The campaign’s consecutive record-setting quarters demonstrate that Ohioans trust Sherrod to fight for them, and we’re grateful for such an outpouring of support,” said Justin Barasky, campaign manager for Friends of Sherrod Brown.
“Special interest groups are already spending money attacking Sherrod, because they know he always does what’s right for Ohio and its workers — not billionaires’ bottom lines. While it’s inevitable the other side will resort to a campaign of distortions and falsehoods, Sherrod’s strong second quarter illustrates widespread support for his reelection.”