Campaign cash continued to flow in Minnesota in the opening three months of the 2020 election year.
Fundraising reports for federal candidates were due April 15. The quarterly cash reports are closely watched by political handicappers and donors looking to gauge candidates' strength.
As is often the case, most incumbents maintained a cash advantage both in money raised and cash on hand. Dan Feehan, a Democrat running a rematch against GOP Rep. Jim Hagedorn in southern Minnesota's First Congressional District, is the only challenger who ended March with a bigger bank account than his incumbent rival.
The fundraising quarter, which spanned Jan. 1 to March 31, included the first few weeks of coronavirus-related slowdowns and eventual shutdowns. The change has already had an effect.
DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin said it "created a huge financial crunch for everyone in politics ... particularly challengers." Those pressures will likely be more apparent in the next round of filings, due in mid-July. Martin said the state party could see a 75% revenue drop.
"The second quarter of this year is going to be the most difficult and challenging for the state party," he said. "Everyone's tightening their belt."
State fundraising heats up
It's not just federal races attracting cash. The year's first updates from state-level candidates and committees were also due last week. With no statewide offices up for a vote, all eyes will be on the battle for control of the Minnesota Legislature.
