US Democratic Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona, running for re-election to the US Senate in the 2022 US midterm elections, appears in an undated handout photo obtained by Reuters on October 5, 2022.
Handout | Via Reuters
Democratic Senator Mark Kelly praised his opponent, Republican Blake Masters, in the third quarter, according to Federal Election Commission filings.
Kelly’s campaign began in October, weeks before the midterm elections, with nearly six times as much cash on hand.
Kelly’s campaign raised just over $21 million between July 14 and September 30. Masters, who was confirmed by former President Donald Trump, brought in more than $4.7 million in the same span. that time.
Kelly’s campaign ran into October with over $13 million in hand while Masters had just over $2.8 million in his battle chest. One of the Masters’ top personal donations is a $4,950 donation from the National Rifle Association. Masters, a wealthy businessman, contributed more than $570,000 last quarter to his own campaign.
Election day is November 8.
The race was once seen as a major opportunity for Republicans in the battle for control of the Senate, but Kelly has led in many of the most recent polls. A RealClearPolitics poll averaged Kelly a 4.5-point lead. The Cook Politics Report marks the race as a “Lean Democrat”.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with U.S. Senate candidate Blake Masters (R-AZ) on stage during a rally ahead of the midterm elections, in Mesa, Arizona, October 9, 2022.
Brian Snyder | Reuters
The Senate is split 50-50, with Democrats having to rely on the Vice President Kamala Harris for breakout votes.
Team spokesperson Kelly pointed out CNBC recently statement by campaign manager Emma Brown touts the senator’s fundraiser. A spokesman for the Masters campaign did not return a request for comment.
Masters’ fundraising lag behind Kelly’s is a theme that runs through the campaign. The Center for Nonpartisan Reaction Politics shows that by the third quarter, Kelly has raised more than $52 million while Masters has raised just under $5 million.
Fundraising amounts for the most recent quarter of both campaigns do not include money raised by outside groups to support each candidate. Saving Arizona, a Masters-backed super PAC that once raised $15 million from Masters ally and former boss, billionaire Peter Thiel, raised more than $4 million between mid-July and late September. PAC, which can raise and spend unlimited amounts, has more than $1.9 million on hand.
While Thiel didn’t contribute to super PACs last quarter, some of the top recent donations include a $3 million donation from shipping supply mogul Richard Uihlein and $1 million from executives crypto executive Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss.
Thiel has signaled that, with the Masters behind Kelly in both fundraising and polling, he will continue to raise funds for my former employees. Until earlier this year, Masters was the chief executive officer of Thiel Capital.
