Warnock raises $9.5 million in third quarter

Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) raised more than $9.5 million in the third quarter of 2021, outpacing former football star and GOP candidate Herschel Walker’s third-quarter haul by close to $6 million.

Warnock’s campaign said that he had amassed support from more than 145,000 donors. He ended the third quarter with more than $17.2 million cash on hand. His campaign noted that his average contribution was $37.

Warnock, who won his seat in a special election that was decided in a January run-off, ended the quarter with more money than any previous senatorial candidate in Georgia had after their third quarter.

The figure represents a steady gain since he posted his second-quarter fundraising, which was $7.2 million. 

Walker’s campaign reported that the former football star had raised $3.7 million in the third quarter with the help of close to 50,000 individual donors. The campaign also said that daily contribution totals were averaging $100,000. 

Walker, who enjoys the endorsement of former President Trump, is one of several contenders vying for Warnock’s seat. Other Republicans who are running include state Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, former Navy SEAL Latham Saddler and military veteran Kelvin King.

Warnock’s seat is a top target for Republicans in next year’s midterm elections.

The Cook Political Report’s latest Senate race ratings report projects the race as “lean Democrat.” It also rates the races involving Democratic Sens. Mark Kelly (Ariz.), Maggie Hassan (N.H.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.) as “lean Democrat.”