Democrat Mark Kelly expanded his cash advantage over Sen. Martha McSallyMartha Elizabeth McSallyGOP senators introduce resolution opposing calls to defund the police No evidence of unauthorized data transfers by top Chinese drone manufacturer: study Senate Democratic campaign arm launches online hub ahead of November MORE (R) in Arizona’s Senate race as the contest emerges as one of the most expensive down-ballot battles of the 2020 cycle.
Kelly, a gun control activist and former astronaut, raked in $11 million in the first quarter of the year, finishing the period with $19.7 million in the bank, his campaign told The Hill. McSally raised more than $6.3 million in the first three months of 2020 and has $10.2 million cash on hand.
Kelly also nearly tripled the number of donors McSally has garnered during the course of the Senate race, earning contributions from roughly 300,000 people compared with more than 110,000 for the incumbent.
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The Arizona Democrat relied heavily on small-dollar donors, with more than 90 percent of his contributions totaling less than $100 and the average donation amounting to $43.
The Kelly campaign declined to provide a statement on its fundraising haul.
The battle for McSally’s Senate seat is a major one for both Democrats and Republicans as Arizona emerges as a leading political battleground.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) was able to flip a Republican-held Senate seat in the 2018 midterms, and polls show former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE with a growing lead over President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE in the traditionally red state.
Kelly has consistently held a polling lead over McSally, who was appointed to fill the vacancy left by the death of former Sen. John McCainJohn Sidney McCainThe Hill’s Campaign Report: Bad polling data is piling up for Trump Cindy McCain ‘disappointed’ McGrath used image of John McCain in ad attacking McConnell Report that Bush won’t support Trump reelection ‘completely made up,’ spokesman says MORE (R). The two are running to serve out the final two years of McCain’s term.
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McSally’s seat is a crucial piece of both parties’ plans to lead the Senate: Reelecting her will be a major focus of the GOP’s effort to maintain its 53-47 majority, while Democrats will almost certainly have to get Kelly elected to capture the majority themselves.
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The coronavirus pandemic has largely sidelined both campaigns, as well as candidates across the country, as people are encouraged to self-quarantine. Arizona’s stay-at-home order was effective March 30, the second-to-last day of the first quarter.
McSally’s campaign expressed confidence that her work on relief packages related to COVID-19 will be recognized by Arizona voters.
“The last few weeks she has put politics aside and instead been working extremely hard to get relief to Arizonans during this pandemic by providing critical funding to hospitals, nonprofits, small businesses, and hard-working individuals and families,” her campaign said in a statement. “Senator McSally always puts Arizonans and their needs first, and voters continue to show growing support because they want someone in the U.S. Senate who leads by example.”
The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper, rates the Arizona Senate race as a “toss-up.”