Tester raises more than $5 million in third quarter

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) brought in more than $5 million for his reelection campaign during the third quarter of 2023, his campaign announced Tuesday. 

The campaign said in a release that its fundraising total is a new record for an off-year third quarter, which consists of July through September, for a Montana Senate race. It now has more than $13 million in cash on hand. 

“The powerful grassroots support behind Jon Tester this year leaves no question: Montanans are fired up to keep the dirt farmer from Big Sandy in the United States Senate,” said Shelbi Dantic, Tester’s campaign manager. “They know they can count on Jon Tester to defend the Montana that three generations of his family have called home, and fight for the folks who understand a hard day’s work.” 

Tester’s third-quarter fundraising significantly outpaced that of Tim Sheehy, who is running for the Republican nomination to oppose Tester’s reelection bid. Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL and businessman backed by Senate Republicans’ campaign arm, brought in $2.8 million. 

Federal candidates are required to report their third quarter fundraising totals by Oct. 15 under regulations from the Federal Election Commission. 

The release from Tester’s campaign states that it received more than 15,000 donations from Montana residents during the third quarter, and almost all of the donations received were less than $200. 

The Montana Senate race will likely be one of the most hotly contested in the 2024 election cycle. It would be key to Republicans’ attempts to try to retake control of the Senate. 

Republicans will need to pick up one or two seats in the Senate to secure a majority in the chamber.