GOP Senate hopeful Royce White reports primary cash advantage, but lags Klobuchar
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Joe Fraser and Royce White will go head-to-head in August. Photos: Courtesy of Joe Fraser's campaign; Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images for BIG3
GOP U.S. Senate candidate Royce White had a nearly three-to-one campaign cash advantage over his chief primary rival as of the end of June, though both raised far less than most leading U.S. House candidates.
Why it matters: The fundraising gap could give the Minnesota Republican Party-endorsed candidate, who has faced questions and criticism over his political positions and personal behavior, another edge ahead of the August primary.
By the numbers: White, who reported barely raising any campaign cash prior to winning the Minnesota Republican Party's backing in late May, took in just over $74,000 between April and June, new FEC reports show.
- He ended the quarter with $47,000 in the bank,
Joe Fraser, a Navy veteran who remained in the race after losing the endorsement, raised just $17,000 over the same period. He had roughly that same amount cash on hand.
Reality check: Both Republicans lag incumbent DFL Sen. Amy Klobuchar by well over $1 million.
- The three-term incumbent reported raising more than $1.6 million during the second quarter, ending the second June with about $6.4 million in the bank.
Between the lines: While White and Fraser are running statewide, GOP candidates running in DFL-held U.S. House districts raised between roughly $39,000 and $500,000 in the second quarter.
The intrigue: Recently amended filings for White's unsuccessful 2022 congressional campaign indicate that he personally repaid that committee for scrutinized expenses, including a $1,200 payment to a Miami strip club and purchases at Lululemon and Nordstrom.
- The amended reports, posted July 14, state that the "non-authorized campaign expenses [were] reimbursed back by the candidate."
- White, who had previously defended the expenditures to Axios and other outlets, did not respond to a request for comment sent to his campaign.
What we're watching: Fraser and White will meet at a Thursday debate hosted by the Minnesota Federation of Republican Women.
- White said on social media that he wants the 7pm event to be rescheduled so "as not to interfere or distract from Donald Trump's speech at the RNC convention" in light of last week's assassination attempt.
- Fraser's campaign manager dismissed the idea, saying they "fully expected Royce White to find an excuse to skip out on this debate."
The bottom line: Voters will decide the nominee on Aug. 13.