Democratic Rep. Frank Kratovil outraised his likely Republican opponent during the latest three-month period, increasing his financial advantage in what is expected to be the most hotly contested congressional election in Maryland this fall.
Kratovil collected $390,413 in the quarter ending June 30, according to his campaign, lifting his total fund-raising to more than $1.7 million.
The freshman congressman's most recent haul slightly exceeded that of Republican state Sen. Andy Harris of Baltimore County, whose campaign said he collected $371,323 over the same period.
But cash-on-hand figures released by both camps showed the Democrat pulling away from the challenger he narrowly defeated in 2008.
Apparently, the Democrat has been more conservative with his campaign money. He holds a $428,000 cash edge over Harris, up from $331,000 in the spring, when Harris appeared to be narrowing the gap.
"Momentum is continuing to build behind Frank's campaign, and these fundraising numbers mean that he will have the resources needed to continue to promote his message," Kratovil's campaign manager, Jessica Klonsky, said in a statement.
Some analysts have said that Kratovil would be the underdog in a rematch with Harris in the state's easternmost congressional district. Kratovil is the first Democrat in nearly 20 years to represent the conservative district, which takes in portions of Baltimore, Harford and Anne Arundel counties, plus the entire Eastern Shore.
Kratovil began this month with $1,325,058 in cash on hand, his campaign said. Harris reported a cash balance of $896,742.
Harris has now collected more than $1.4 million, after raising slightly more money in the second quarter of the year than he did in the first three months.
Unlike Kratovil, the veteran state legislator faces a primary challenge. Businessman Rob Fisher, an Eastern Shore native, has been airing TV commercials ahead of the September vote.
Candidates must file their quarterly campaign disclosure reports with the Federal Election Commission by Thursday. Harris campaign officials said Harris' report was filed Wednesday morning, but it was not posted on the FEC website early Wednesday evening.
paul.west@baltsun.com
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