Ben McAdams outspends GOP challenger by more than $2 million in CD1 race
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Former Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams is significantly outspending his Republican opponent in the race to represent Utah's 1st Congressional District, according to new federal campaign finance filings.
Why it matters: The filings underscore McAdams' fundraising advantage in a heavily Democratic district where the former congressman is favored to win.
By the numbers: McAdams has accumulated about $2.72 million in campaign contributions, compared with $134,070 raised by GOP candidate Riley Owen, according to federal filings through Oct. 14.
- McAdams has spent $2.4 million on campaign operations, while Owen has spent $117,517.
- McAdams has nearly $378,000 in cash on hand, compared with about $9,500 for Owen.
- Owen also loaned his campaign $30,000 of his own money to get it off the ground, he tells Axios.
Between the lines: McAdams' campaign has drawn a larger share individual contributions from Utah than Owen's, per FEC filings.
- About 72% of the money McAdams raised from individual donors through June came from Utah, compared with around 50% for Owen.
Context: McAdams won a competitive four-way Democratic primary for the blue-leaning district in June.
- Owen, a 28-year-old Navy Reserve intelligence officer, won the state GOP convention.
Of note: Three other contenders on the ballot — Libertarian Jesse West, unaffiliated candidate Elias Montgomery, and write-in candidate Babak "Bobby" Darvish — did not have campaign finance data on the FEC website.
- The FEC doesn't require campaign finance filings unless a candidate has spent or raised $5,000.
What they're saying: The funding gap has pushed Owen to reach voters through town halls, community events and door knocking rather than costly TV ads, he says.
- His remaining funds will go toward billboards, Meta ads and campaign expenses such as yard signs and T-shirts.
- McAdams isn't "taking anything for granted," his spokesperson told Axios in a statement. "The campaign continues working hard to reach voters, communicate Ben's vision, and make clear that Ben intends to earn every vote."
What we're watching: Election Day is Nov. 3.