Democratic fundraising outpacing GOP in Senate District 53

• PHOTO: Kent, Lillie

Susan Kent, left, held a fundraising lead over her GOP opponent, Sen. Ted Lillie, right, between January and July 28. Lillie, however, had more left remaining in his war chest than did Kent.

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Local Democrats seeking legislative seats this fall have been bringing in more cash than their Republican counterparts in all but one race. Republicans, meanwhile, managed to keep the most cash on hand, according to reports made public today.

Senate District 53 candidate Susan Kent raised the most money between Jan. 1 and July 23, among the three local races, according to reports filed this month with state’s Campaign Finance & Public Disclosure Board.

According to the report, Kent, a Woodbury Democrat amassed $17,356 in total receipts during the period. She is challenging incumbent Sen. Ted Lillie, R-Woodbury, who reported $15,865 in total receipts.

However, Lillie’s war chest remains more plentiful. His ending cash balance totaled $13,983, compared to $10,280 for Kent.

In the race for House District 53A, Democratic hopeful JoAnn Ward held a commanding lead in fundraising. She outpaced her challenger, Maplewood Republican Pam Cunningham, $16,682 to $10,637 in total receipts.

Ward’s campaign also held more cash on hand than Cunningham’s. Ward had a $10,520 ending balance compared to Cunningham’s $7,623.

The only Republican outpacing her Democratic challenger in fundraising is incumbent Rep. Andrea Kieffer, R-Woodbury. Kieffer, who is running against Woodbury Democrat Ann Marie Metzger, raised $14,739 since the first of the year.

Metzger’s total receipts were $11,401 for the period.

Kieffer, who began the reporting period with more than $4,000 on hand, finished with a $15,936 ending balance. Metzger had $8,680 on hand, according to the report.

Tags: news, woodbury, politics, elections