Korean-American candidates running in next month’s elections are gaining momentum, demonstrating impressive third-quarter fundraising results. The Q3 fundraising and spending reports, which reflect the final totals through the end of September, are seen as the last major indicator ahead of the election.
Representative Andy Kim (NJ), who announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in September after seeking the third term in the House, raised a total of $2.4 million in Q3, bringing his cumulative fundraising to $11.4 million since last year.
According to data released by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) on October 15, Kim’s campaign raised a total of $11.4 million, including $1 million collected early in his House campaign. The $2.4 million raised in the third quarter is the second-highest quarterly total of his political career.
Kim’s campaign noted, “We received approximately 140,000 donations since announcing his Senate bid, with 90% of the over 34,000 contributions in Q3 being under $100.”
Kim’s Republican opponent, Curtis Bashaw, has not yet released his final Q3 report, but as of the end of June, he had raised a total of $2.7 million, most of which came from his personal funds.
In Southern California’s 45th Congressional District, Republican incumbent Michelle Steel raised approximately $2.6 million in Q3, bringing her total to $8.9 million. According to FEC data and Steel’s campaign, she had raised $6.29 million by the end of Q2 and currently has about $4 million in cash on hand. Significant spending is expected in the final three weeks before the election, particularly on advertising.
Steel’s Democratic challenger, Derek Tran, raised $2.1 million in Q3, adding to the $2.26 million he raised through Q2, for a total of $4.4 million. Tran’s campaign is estimated to have around $2 million in cash remaining.
While there remains a large gap in total funds raised between the two candidates, Tran’s surge in the latter half of the race has been noteworthy.
In California’s 40th Congressional District, Rep. Young Kim added $1.5 million in Q3, bringing her total to $7.85 million. Her campaign reports having $3.2 million in cash on hand.
Her Democratic opponent, Joe Kerr, has raised a total of $1.93 million through Q3, with around $400,000 remaining in his campaign. His Q3 total of $300,000 is considered relatively low.
In California’s 34th Congressional District, which includes LA’s Koreatown, Democrat David Kim raised $187,000 in Q3, bringing his total to $404,713.
Kim noted, “This is likely the largest amount raised by a challenger in an intra-party race nationwide. We will continue to fight with full force until the end.”
Incumbent Rep. Jimmy Gomez has not yet disclosed his Q3 totals but had raised $1.5 million through Q2.
BY BRIAN CHOI, YOUNGNAM KIM [ichoi@koreadaily.com]
