Republican Brian Fitzherbert appears to have trouble raising money for his bid to unseat freshman Rep. Jeff Van Drew in New Jersey’s 2nd district, raising just $21,287 for his fledgling congressional campaign.
Fitzherbert reported spending $3,159 and has $18,127 cash-on-hand.
The former Atlantic County Young Republican Chairman is one of three GOP candidates seeking to challenge Van Drew, a longtime legislator who flipped an open seat in 2018 following the retirement of 12-term Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-Ventnor).
Both of Fitzherbert’s GOP rivals have outraised him significantly.
Hill International CEO David Richter has raised $413,000, including $300,000 of his own funds.
Robert Patterson, a controversial former Trump administration official who has argued that condoms deprive women of the “remarkable” chemicals found in semen has raised $100,342.
Van Drew had his second strong fundraising quarter and now has $930,344 cash-on-hand as he prepares to seek a second term.
Van Drew raised $528,430 during the 3rd quarter of 2019, and has raised $1,284,396 since taking office in January.
Republicans think Van Drew, unbeatable during his seventeen years in the New Jersey Legislature, is vulnerable after winning a surprisingly unimpressive 53% against former Atlantic County freeholder Seth Grossman last year.
The right-of-center Van Drew could also face a primary challenge. The 65-year-old former state senator won the Democratic nomination with 57% against three progressive challengers.
Donald Trump won the 2nd district by 14,830 votes (50%-46%) in 2016 and GOP U.S. Senate candidate Bob Hugin carried it by ten points last year.