Amy McGrath reports raising another $6 million, even as some progressives grumble
Former Marine Corps pilot Amy McGrath raised $6.2 million for her U.S. Senate campaign in the fourth quarter of 2019, according to her campaign, marking another impressive fundraising quarter even as she faces grumbling from some progressive Democrats in Kentucky.
The money McGrath raised in the final three months of 2019 brings her total to $16.9 million, just $2 million shy of what former Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes raised in her bid against U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2014. McGrath’s campaign said it has $9.1 million on hand.
“It’s clear that Amy is proving to be one of the most prolific fundraisers in American politics,” said Mark Nickolas, McGrath’s campaign manager. “This is one of those things that’s a problem for McConnell. It shows why he’s in trouble.”
McConnell’s campaign had raised $13.3 million as of the last filing deadline and had $9.7 million on hand. It has not yet released numbers from the most recent fundraising quarter.
“Any left-wing name on the ballot against Mitch McConnell will raise tens of millions from liberal elites in New York and California who want to eliminate Kentucky’s power to shape policy in Washington,” said McConnell campaign manager Kevin Golden. “What they can’t do is invent left wing voters in Kentucky who would cast a ballot for a candidate who would erase their voice like Amy McGrath.”
McGrath has continued to raise millions as some progressive Kentuckians search for an alternative candidate to support. Two of her most talked about potential primary opponents — Kentucky Sports Radio host Matt Jones and former House Minority Leader Rocky Adkins — have decided not to run, but state Rep. Charles Booker, D-Louisville, has launched an exploratory committee and is expected to announce his official entry into the campaign Sunday.
McGrath, who touted her authenticity during her losing 2018 congressional bid, has faced criticism over her campaign’s cautious approach to commenting on national issues. She will often criticize McConnell without expressing her own definitive opinions on the contentious issues of the day, such as President Donald Trump’s impeachment.
Booker has capitalized on that criticism, saying Kentucky needs someone who can “create real contrast” with McConnell and has courted the progressive wing of the Democratic Party by running an unapologetically liberal campaign. His platform includes Medicaid For All, the Green New Deal and impeaching Trump.
McGrath’s fundraising makes her a formidable opponent for Booker, who will have to raise his name recognition throughout the state after getting into the race several months behind McGrath and other Democratic candidates. Booker also would have to compete for progressive voters with Mike Broihier, a Lincoln County farmer, who has spent the last several months courting Democrats who are dissatisfied with McGrath’s campaign.
“We are the last campaign to ever raise any objection to a primary,” Nickolas said. “We welcome anybody looking to speak to the voters. We don’t have any concerns about it and we will continue to do what we’re going to do.”
McGrath’s campaign said it had an average donation of $36 from 117,775 contributors in the fourth quarter, which is the same average donation the campaign had in its first quarter. The campaign has been aggressive in its spending, dumping $2 million on television ads in 2019.
The reporting deadline for fourth quarter fundraising isn’t until the end of January and none of the other campaigns have released fundraising numbers.
This story was originally published January 3, 2020 at 3:02 PM.
