Harrison raised $45k in first few days as a candidate

Brigid Callahan Harrison raised $45,594 for her congressional campaign to oust Democrat-turned-Republican incumbent Jeff Van Drew during the two weeks of 2019, a respectable haul considering she entered the race just nine days before Christmas.

Harrison, a political science professor, said just before Thanksgiving that she was considering a primary challenge to Van Drew, one of two House Democrats to oppose impeachment inquiries against President Donald Trump.

She entered the race on December 16, two days after Van Drew informed his staff that he intended to switch parties.

Harrison’s donors include longtime Cory Booker fundraiser Victor Herlinsky, former State Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Elizabeth), and former Assemblyman Edward Salmon (D-Millville),

There will be little information about Democratic fundraising in New Jersey’s 2nd district until April, when the 1st quarter fundraising reports are due.  That will come after the filing deadline and follows the county Democratic organization convention season.

Atlantic County freeholder Ashley Bennett filed with the Federal Election Commission on December 24, four days after he announced her candidacy for Congress.  She has not yet filed her 4th quarter report, which is due at the end of today.

The other candidates in the Democratic primary – Amy Kennedy, Will Cunningham, John Francis and Robert Turkavage – did not enter the race until this month and are not obligated to file reports until April.

Harrison reported no campaign expenditures in 2019.