U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi continues to outraise his two Democratic Senate primary opponents in the race to replace Dick Durbin, and two out of an astounding 17 candidates vying for Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s open seat have more than a million cash on hand with five months to go before Election Day.
That’s according to a quarterly report federal candidates were required to file on Oct. 15 with the Federal Election Commission. The next major campaign deadline is the week of Oct. 27, when candidates begin a five-day filing period for their nominating petitions.
Krishnamoorthi has $18,0882,51.43 cash on hand, taking in $2,943,255.48 between July and September and an additional $159,487.35 in interest — bringing his fundraising haul to $3,102,742.83, according to the Federal Election Commission. During that time, his net operating expenditures were $5,749.88.22, with the majority of that spending going to TV ads that have aired since July.
The FEC is keeping tabs on Senate candidates with the highest fundraising totals, and Krishnamoorthi ranks third nationwide with a total of $24,878,520.73 raised. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., leads that category with $54,052,215.03 raised, followed by Sen. Cory Booker, D-NJ, with $28,806,212.12
In the Illinois Senate Democratic primary race, Rep. Robin Kelly took in $277,278.13 in contributions and her net operating expenditures were $492,865.20. She has $1,981,886.91 cash on hand. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton has $919,774.79 cash on hand and took in $995,366.13 contributions — with net operating expenditures during the three-month period at $736,507.82, records show.
In the packed open race to succeed Schakowsky in the 9th Congressional District, Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old social media influencer and former journalist, continued to show her fundraising prowess, leading with $619,333.88 net contributions, and spending $268,476.76. She has $1,0122,75.28, cash on hand.
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss came in a close second, reporting $612,503.19 in net contributions and $247,709.88 in expenditures. He has $1,010,267.72 cash on hand.
Rounding out the list of top fundraisers, Bushra Amiwala, a Skokie school board member and activist, reported $443,254.03 in contributions, $152,076.07 in expenditures and has $482,224.78 cash on hand. State Sen. Laura Fine reported $396,275.18 in contributions, $154,016.31 in expenditures and $479,197.82 cash on hand. State Rep. Hoan Huynh reported $356,267.40 in contributions and has $201,778.79 cash on hand. He spent $154,233.11. State Sen. Mike Simmons reported $211,693.65 in total contributions, $75,042.39 in expenditures and $75,042.39 cash on hand.
At least four candidates have a large amount of cash on hand from self-funding, including 50th Ward Democratic Committeeman Bruce Leon, who has $815,449.99 cash on hand, having loaned himself $800,000. Phil Andrew, a former FBI hostage negotiator, has $647,738.11 cash on hand, after loaning his campaign $200,000. Economist Jeff Cohen also loaned his campaign $200,000 and now has $396,477.21 on hand. Sam Polan, an Army veteran, also gave himself $275,000 and has $396,477.21 cash on hand.
Seventeen people people have announced a run for the seat, although the filing period for petitions may whittle down the field.