Warnock raises almost $3M in Georgia Senate race in second quarter

The Rev. Raphael Warnock (D) raised more than $2.85 million in the second quarter in the Georgia Senate race, though he will likely face an uphill climb to outraise incumbent Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R).

Warnock’s campaign announced Thursday it has raised more than $4.3 million for the entire 2020 cycle and doubled its first-quarter haul after a series of high-profile endorsements from lawmakers such as Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.). 

“Our strong fundraising shows that Georgians are looking for real change and above all else, an authentic voice in Washington,” said Warnock. “Folks want to know someone is looking out for them, their health care, their children’s futures, and their rights. We are in the fight for the soul of our nation’s democracy, but I’m encouraged that our message is resonating. It will be a tough fight, but with the support we’re seeing, it is one that we can win.”

Warnock is running against Loeffler, Republican Rep. Doug Collins and Democrats Matt Lieberman and former state Sen. Ed Tarver, among others, in a jungle primary this year. Should no candidate break 50 percent, the state will hold a runoff early next year for the top two vote-getters.

Warnock, who has the backing of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, raised eyebrows when he outraised both Loeffler and Collins in the first quarter. A recent poll by the left-leaning firm Public Policy Polling also showed him within striking distance of both Loeffler and Collins.

However, he will likely face a huge challenge in outraising Loeffler, who is independently wealthy and reportedly plans to spend $20 million of her personal fortune on her Senate bid.

Loeffler was appointed to her seat, which was vacated when former Sen. Johnny Isakson (R) retired last year, by Gov. Brian Kemp (R) over the objections from some allies of President Trump who urged him to tap Collins. This year’s race will determine who will finish Isakson’s term, which expires in early 2023.