Congressional cash: A look at fundraising in four of PA’s congressional districts

Pennsylvania’s April 23 primary election is quickly approaching, and with several closely watched congressional races taking place in the commonwealth, new federal campaign finance reports offer an updated view of how various candidates are faring with fundraising. The reports cover the first quarter of 2024, which spanned from Jan. 1 through April 3.

Below, City & State breaks down fundraising numbers for candidates in four high-profile congressional races to see which candidates are on sound financial footing, and which ones are floundering.  

1st Congressional District

Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is hoping to secure another term in Congress this year, and with more cash on hand than anyone else in the race, he could be poised to do just that. Fitzpatrick reported raising $783,523.91 in total contributions in his latest campaign finance report, bringing his cash balance at the end of the quarter to $3,650,761.05. Republican Mark Houck is running against Fitzpatrick in the primary, but hasn’t raised nearly as much as the incumbent congressman. Houck reported raising $78,952.93 in Q1, and finished the reporting period with $11,079.70 in the bank. On the Democratic side, Ashley Ehasz, who unsuccessfully ran against Fitzpatrick last cycle, raised $663,130.38 in the first quarter, bringing her cash on hand total to $820,363.56.

7th Congressional District

In Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District, incumbent U.S. Rep. Susan Wild holds a financial advantage over the Republicans vying for the GOP nomination. Wild, a Democrat representing the Lehigh Valley who is not facing a primary challenger, has $2,662,153.48 in cash on hand at the end of the reporting period, thanks in part to a $1,033,383.50 haul in Q1. In the GOP primary, veteran and small business owner Kevin Dellicker raised the most cash, pulling in $170,601.07 in Q1. He also finished the reporting period with more money in the bank than the other Republican candidates, reporting $169,383.58 in cash on hand. GOP state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie raised $68,151.66 in Q1, bringing his cash on hand total to $117,145.53. Attorney Maria Montero raised $66,084.27 in the most recent reporting period, ending the quarter with $88,706.00 in the bank. 

10th Congressional District

Democrats have lined up to try and take on Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry in the fall, but as it stands now, Perry has more financial resources at his disposal than any of the Democrats seeking to unseat him. Perry reported $463,505.71 in total contributions in Q1, and ended the quarter with $513,460.71 in the bank. In the Democratic primary, retired fighter pilot Mike O’Brien led the pack in fundraising, reporting $309,525.93 in total contributions. He ended the reporting period with $165,023.92 on hand. Former TV anchor Janelle Stelson raised $293,805.82 in total contributions, and ended Q1 with $191,905.11 in cash on hand – more than any other Democratic candidate. Harrisburg City Councilmember Shamaine Daniels reported $21,876.03 in contributions, finishing the quarter with $7,962.10 in the bank. Former media executive Blake Lynch raised $31,773.57 during the reporting period, and had $3,618.15 in cash on hand at the end of the quarter. Businessman John Broadhurst brought in $11,227.64 in total contributions in Q1, and ended the period with $67.01 on hand, while veteran and school board member Rick Coplen raised  $25,674.48, and finished the quarter with $5,237.13 in cash.

12th Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee is facing a primary challenge from Democrat Bhavini Patel in the state’s 12th Congressional District, while Republican James Hayes is looking to secure the GOP nomination and face the winner of the Democratic primary in the fall. Lee reported $836,866.43 in total contributions in Q1, a sum that brought her cash on hand total to $1,179,946.10 at the end of the reporting period. Patel raised $290,811.72, according to her campaign finance report, and finished the quarter with $154,109.75 in the bank. Hayes, meanwhile, raised $17,168.49, and wrapped up Q1 with $12,832.71 in cash on hand.