With a relatively clear path ahead of him in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, Rep. Andy Kim (D-Moorestown) has raised a humungous $7 million so far this cycle after an immense $3 million first quarter.
Kim reported a massive $4.2 million cash-on-hand as of the end of March.
He raised the money without taking any corporate PAC contributions.
The average campaign contribution during the first three months of 2024 was roughly $61, and about 95% of all contributions were under $100, the Kim campaign told the New Jersey Globe.
“Every day, we see our unbelievable grassroots movement grow stronger, from people who are excited to usher in a new era of politics in New Jersey,” Kim said. “I am incredibly thankful for all of the support my campaign has received, and I’m excited to finish this primary race strong on June 4th.”
The three-term congressman and former Obama White House staffer essentially secured the Democratic nomination on March 24 after his main rival, First Lady Tammy Murphy, withdrew from the race.
Now, he faces two minor candidates: activist Patricia Campos-Medina and Lawrence Hamm, a former Newark school board member. Neither has released their first-quarter fundraising numbers.
The South Jersey Democrat entered the Senate race on September 23, one day after the Justice Department unsealed its indictment against the three-term Democratic incumbent, Bob Menendez. His fundraising success was instantaneous, raising $1 million in his first seven days as a U.S. Senate candidate.
With his trial set to begin on May 6, Menendez announced just before the March 25 filing deadline that he would not enter the Democratic primary, but has reserved the option of running as an independent this fall if the jury clears him of federal corruption charges.
The Republican Senate contenders have not yet announced their fundraising haul.
Kim has proven himself an adept political fundraiser since narrowly unseating two-term Rep. Thomas MacArthur (R-Toms River) in 2018. He twice won a congressional district that Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020 before redistricting allowed him to secure a double-digit win in 2022. All three of his Republican opponents have been millionaire self-funders.
This story was updated at 5:53 p.m. with a correction: the average donation was $61, not $51.