GOP challenger James sees fundraising boost in Senate race against Peters

Republican U.S. Senate challenger John James raised $3 million over the last three months, which was more than Democratic incumbent Gary Peters raised, according to numbers released by the two campaigns.

But Peters, a Democrat from Bloomfield Township, has a large cash advantage in money available to spend going forward.

There is a Tuesday midnight deadline for new fundraising disclosures from candidates for the U.S. Senate and House. The disclosures cover money raised and spent from the beginning of July through the end of September.

Over that period, James' campaign, which launched in June, raised $3 million. By the end of September, the campaign reported having $3.8 million still available, according to a statement.

“I am grateful to my nearly 30,000 low-dollar supporters who have given so generously," James said in press release. “I think that our strong low-dollar fundraising this quarter shows that Michiganders are excited to see a bit of light and compassion infused into this very dark and divisive political environment.

James, a businessman from Farmington Hills, challenged Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, in 2018 and lost by 6.5 percentage points. During the same period before that election, James' campaign raised $309,154.

Peters, who was first elected in 2014, reported raising $2.5 million from July through September. The campaign received more than 25,000 contributions during that time, according to a release, and reported having $6.3 million available at the end of the period.

"I’m humbled and grateful for the amazing support our campaign continues to receive from Michiganders all around the state," Peters said in a press release. “It’s clear Michiganders want effective, bipartisan leaders who will work with anyone to get the job done."

Peters won his seat in the U.S. Senate in 2014 with 54% of the vote, defeating former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. He was the only non-incumbent Democrat to win that year, when Republicans dominated Senate election and regained control of the chamber.

But, in 2020, Peters will be one of two Democratic U.S. senators running for re-election in states that President Donald Trump won in 2016. The other is Alabama U.S. Doug Jones.

cmauger@detroitnews.com

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