Before Senate Race Heats Up, Kennedy Reports Fundraising Haul

U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III raised $2.4 million for his U.S. Senate bid in the final three months of 2019, according to his campaign, which would put him ahead of incumbent U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, who reportedly raised closer to $1.4 million during the same quarter.

Kennedy announced his fundraising numbers on Monday morning after both the Kennedy and Markey campaigns shared their top-line totals with The Boston Globe the night before. Markey, according to the Globe, raised more than $1.4 million in the last quarter, trailing Kennedy by about $1 million in both money raised and cash on hand.

Kennedy, who has been a prolific national fundraiser for other Democrats during his tenure in Congress, said that nearly $1 million of his cash haul came from Massachusetts donors, and 75% of the contributions were of $50 or less.

The congressman's campaign said he begins the 2020 election year with about $5.5 million in his campaign account, compared to the $4.4 million that the Globe reported Markey having on hand.

"These strong fundraising numbers reflect a powerful, growing base of support across the Commonwealth," said Nick Clemons, Kennedy's campaign manager.

Labor attorney Shannon Liss-Riordan, the third Democrat running in this year's Senate primary, also has not publicly reported her fourth quarter fundraising numbers. The campaigns are not required to officially report to the Federal Elections Commission until later this month.