FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — Republican Tim Smith has jumped to the top of the fundraising list in the race to replace U.S. Rep. Jim Banks.
Mr. Smith, a longtime business executive who entered the race later than other candidates, raised $605,344.05 in the latest report. federal election commissionContributions through September 30th are included.
With Banks running for Senate, the top Republican to replace her is expected to wage an expensive advertising battle in the lead-up to the May 2024 primary.
Smith’s total also includes a $500,000 loan to his campaign. There is no limit to the amount candidates can spend on their races.
Other candidates also lend money to their campaigns, but not as much.
Mr. Smith spent little of the money he raised, reporting expenses of $54,305.61, leaving him with $551,038.44.
“I lent my campaign $500,000 because the people of this district deserve a representative who doesn’t owe anyone anything,” Smith said. “I will not be owned by PACs or special interests. As a result, I will do what is right when it comes to building walls, eliminating wasteful spending, and making parents, not the government, responsible for their children’s education. I don’t need the job, but I want it so I can fight to end wokeness and expand freedom, no matter the personal cost.”
Next on the list is former judge Wendy Davis, who has now collected $548,347.14, with total expenses of $249,741.04 and $298,606.10 remaining on hand. She loaned herself $73,200.
“I am extremely grateful to the business owners and community members throughout District 3 who have supported and invested in my campaign to build back a strong America,” Davis said. “As a judge, I have seen the consequences of failed liberal policies in the courts, and I am ready to fight back in Congress to restore a strong America.”
State Sen. Andy Zhai raised $461,268.58 and spent $223,394.15, leaving him with $237,874.43. Former Congressman Marlin Stutzman was next, raising $253,651.75 and disbursing only $10,000, leaving him with $243,517.12.
Mr. Zai and Mr. Stutzman both loaned their campaigns $100,000.
“I am proud of the enthusiastic support I have received from Hoosiers in the 3rd District and the thousands of voters my team and I have interacted with,” Zai said. “It’s time to turn the page on Biden’s agenda, work to end inflation, and bring job opportunities back to Northeast Indiana.”
Stutzman touted another set of numbers. That’s the result of a mid-September poll paid for by his campaign and told WANE 15 was for internal use only.
“I would like to sincerely thank all of our supporters in the 3rd District, whether they are donors or grassroots supporters, for getting our campaign off to a great start,” he said. “From a campaign kickoff to another strong financial report to a 3-1 lead in the polls. With the support of the good Hoosiers of Northeast Indiana, we’re back in the lead in Washington. I’m excited.”
The top fundraiser on the Democratic side was Phil Goss, who has a background in agriculture and education, and reported raising $131,891.85, spending $82,338.88 and having $49,552.97 on hand. Goss loaned the campaign $124,000.
No other candidates in either party reported raising more than $15,000.
