ATLANTA – U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., raised almost $910,000 in campaign contributions during the second quarter, according to a report filed this week with the Federal Election Commission.
However, the wealthy Atlanta businesswoman continued to primarily self-fund her bid for a full six-year Senate term. She loaned her campaign $5 million during the second quarter, bringing her total personal loans to $15 million since Gov. Brian Kemp appointed her late last year to succeed retiring Sen. Johnny Isakson.
Under unique election rules that apply to Loeffler’s status as an interim senator, she will defend the seat Nov. 3 in a free-for-all contest that features 21 candidates, including Republicans and Democrats. If no one receives more than 50% of the vote, a likely outcome in such a crowded race, the top two finishers will square off in a runoff in early January.
Loeffler’s chief competition within her party is U.S. Rep. Doug Collins, R-Gainesville. On the Democratic side, the Rev. Raphael Warnock, chief pastor at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, is poised for a strong run at the seat.
Loeffler’s deep pockets put her campaign in good position financially as the contest moves forward. She reported more than $7 million cash on hand as of June 30.
“Senator Loeffler is building a substantial war chest ahead of the November election,” campaign spokesman Stephen Lawson said. “Kelly has also built a robust field operation, contacting tens of thousands of voters each week and mobilizing grassroots supporters in all 159 counties.”
Warnock raised more than $2.85 million in April, May and June. Collins raised $2.5 million during the first quarter. His second-quarter report was not on file with the FEC as of Thursday morning.