ATLANTA – The candidates in two competitive U.S. House races in Atlanta’s northern suburbs have plenty of money to work with as the June 9 primary approaches.
Incumbent Democratic Rep. Lucy McBath of Roswell, who is seeking a second term representing the 6th Congressional District, raised more than $1 million during the first quarter of this year, according to a report filed this week with the Federal Election Commission. However, McBath has brought in more than $4 million for the 2020 election counting contributions she received before January.
That leaves the incumbent well positioned financially to fend off the challenge of former Rep. Karen Handel, a Republican from Alpharetta, who lost to McBath two years ago.
But Handel will have more than enough resources to compete. After raising $283,155 during January, February and March, Handel’s campaign war chest stood at just less than $1 million as of March 31.
That’s well above Republican primary opponent Joe Profit, an author and businessman from Marietta. Profit has raised $378,302 during the 2020 election cycle, including $143,094 during the first quarter. However, $164,200 of his funds came in the form of a loan he made to his campaign.
Three other Republican hopefuls in the 6th District had not filed reports with the FEC as of Friday.
The 6th District covers East Cobb, North Fulton and North DeKalb counties.
The 7th Congressional District race is more crowded because Rep. Mark Woodall, R-Lawrenceville, is retiring. Three of the seven Republican candidates vying to succeed Woodall have raised nearly $1 million each.
State Sen. Renee Unterman of Buford leads the pack. She raised just $78,814 during the first quarter, with the General Assembly in session for most of that time. But Unterman has brought in $961,190 in total, including a loan of $602,841 she made to her campaign.
Dr. Richard McCormick, an emergency room physician from Suwanee, is keeping up with Unterman in the fundraising race. The $202,202 he received in January, February and March gave him $912,862 for the total election cycle, including personal loans of $247,000.
Businesswoman Lynne Homrich, a former executive with Home Depot, is the third Republican candidate in the 7th District with a campaign war chest north of $900,000. She raised $126,103 during the first quarter, bringing her total to $908,728. That includes personal loans to the campaign of $330,000.
Businessman Mark Gonsalves has raised $451,909 thus far in his campaign.
Three other GOP candidates have struggled to raise money. Retiree Eugene Yu has brought in $25,140 – all in the first quarter. Educator/author Lisa Noel Babbage has raised $7,660, and Zachary Kennemore, a hotel night auditor, reported only $120 in contributions
Carolyn Bourdeax, a familiar name in the 7th District, dominates the battle for bucks among Democrats. After narrowly losing a bid to unseat Woodall two years ago, the college professor from Suwanee has raised more than $1.7 million for another shot this year, including $326,131 in January, February and March.
State Sen. Zahra Karinshak of Duluth, limited during the General Assembly session, brought in $151,239 during the first quarter to give her a total of $667,231, second among Democrats on the 7th District Democratic primary ballot. That includes a loan of $150,000 she made to her campaign.
Nabilah Islam of Lawrenceville, self-described as a “full-time candidate,” has raised $544,615 thus far, including $144,490 during January, February and March.
State Rep. Brenda Lopez Romero of Norcross has raised $153,422, the vast majority coming in before January.
Entrepreneur Rashid Malik had not filed an FEC report as of Friday.
The 7th Congressional District takes in most of Gwinnett County and part of Forsyth County.