Doug Jones leads fundraising in senate race

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Doug Jones

U.S. Senator Doug Jones of Alabama continues to lead in fundraising as he heads to a tough reelection fight.

The Deep South Democrat raised $2 million last quarter, more than all the GOP primary candidates combined, according to the latest campaign fundraising reports. He has a campaign balance of $5 million.

Jones won the 2017 special election to fill the Senate seat that belonged to Jeff Sessions.

Now sometimes referred to as the Senate’s most endangered Democrat, he is facing a tough reelection battle in 2020, but fundraising numbers suggest he will be well-armed financially for the fight.

A crowded GOP primary field is competing for the right to challenge Jones.

Republican U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne leads in overall fundraising with $2.5 million cash on hand. Byrne raised $408,000 in two separate accounts last quarter.

Former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville has $1.4 million on hand after raising $373,000 last quarter.

Secretary of State John Merrill has $738,429 on hand after raising $378,020 last quarter and taking out a $250,000 loan.

Legislator Arnold Mooney raised $242,738 last quarter. Businessman Stanley Adair raised $148.882 and loaned his campaign another $4,500 in the same time period.

Former Chief Justice Roy Moore, who lost to Jones two years ago, is lagging most of the GOP field in cash. He has raised less than $100,000 total for his latest Senate bid.

Moore ran for the Senate seat in 2017 but lost the special election after several women accused him of sexual misconduct. He denied the accusations.

Other candidates in the race reported raising less than $10,000.

Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.