Candidate Finello’s Fundraising Rises, But Congressman Holds Advantage

While incumbent Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick’s campaign outraised Democratic opponent Christina Finello in the second quarter, the political newcomer’s campaign saw a significant jump over her first quarter haul.

Finello, of Ivyland Borough, brought in more than $310,000 in the second quarter, with more than $200,000 of that coming in June, the month she won the Democratic primary, according to her campaign.

The campaign said more than 7,000 donors contributed $100 or less. That made the average contribution for the second quarter $26.

The second quarter haul was much higher than the just over $90,200 she reported bringing in the first quarter of the year.

Finello’s campaign did not state how much cash they had on hand at the end of the quarter on June 30.

Since she entered the race last year, Finello raised approximately $485,500.

The congressman’s campaign announced they raised $455,000 in the second quarter and had a war chest of $1.8 million cash on hand.

The campaign said they have raised $2.8 million over the 2020 election cycle.

In the first quarter, Fitzpatrick raised $435,000, while spending a bit more than $170,000.

Finello’s campaign celebrated her fundraising haul and said it shows how competitive the First Congressional District is in 2020, citing two polls that paint Finello as close to the incumbent Republican.

“We are so humbled by the faith our supporters have placed in me and this campaign,” Finello said in a statement. “Our broad network of grassroots supporters shows the growing momentum of this race and that voters in Bucks and Montgomery Counties are ready for a change.”

Fitzpatrick’s campaign said Finello’s numbers were “dismal.”

“Being ranked the #1 most bipartisan congressman in the entire nation with the highest score ever recorded in U.S. history, it isn’t surprising that both Congressman Fitzpatrick’s bipartisan fundraising numbers and his bipartisan endorsements dwarf the Finello campaign, who boasts virtually no endorsements and who is ‘celebrating’ a total cash on hand of a dismal roughly $300K in the expensive Philadelphia media market,” said Fitzpatrick campaign spokesperson Kate Constantini, adding Finello is “peddling fake push-poll numbers in an attempt to become relevant.”

Fitzpatrick has tried to paint himself as an “independent voice” who is doing the best for the district and fighting to work for both sides, while Finello’s campaign has been working to frame Fitzpatrick as being on the same side as President Donald Trump and how she is best prepared to handle economic issues at home.

The First Congressional District is one of the most important in the country for both parties. It is among the most expensive media markets for advertising. Open Secrets noted that the race between Fitzpatrick and Democrat Scott Wallace in 2018 cost $18.1 million, making it the seventh most expensive House of Representatives campaign.

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