Some Democrats running for Statehouse seats had more cash in final weeks than GOP incumbents

Democrats running for Indianapolis-area legislative districts are giving Republican incumbents a run for their money—literally.

The latest campaign finance figures, which include contributions from May 9 through Oct. 9 show that most of the Republican incumbents raised more money than their Democratic opponents, but sometimes not by a wide margin, and several Democrats posted more cash on hand at the end of the reporting period.

In Indiana Senate District 35, which covers the southwest side of Indianapolis, Democratic newcomer Pete Cowden raised more than $105,000, while longtime Republican incumbent Mike Young only raised about $86,000.

But Young had more cash remaining, as of Oct. 9, with $71,500. Cowden had about $39,000 cash on hand.

In Indiana House District 39, longtime Republican incumbent Jerry Torr raised more than his Democratic opponent Ashley Klein, reporting $216,000 compared to Klein’s $155,000. But Klein had more cash on hand at the end of the reporting period, with nearly $30,000 while Torr had less than $13,000.

But since then, Torr has received a boost from his party, receiving $60,000 from the House Republican Campaign Committee and $10,000 from Gov. Eric Holcomb’s campaign.

And that’s not the only Indy-area GOP lawmaker Holcomb is spreading out his money to—he also has recently given $5,000 to Young, plus $25,000 to House Speaker Todd Huston, $10,000 to state Sen. John Ruckelshaus, $5,000 to state Rep. Donna Schaibley, $5,000 to state Sen. Jack Sandlin and $5,000 to state Rep. Chris Jeter, who was sworn into office in August to replace former House Speaker Brian Bosma, who retired.

Holcomb’s campaign had more than $6 million cash on hand, as of Sept. 30.

All of the Republicans are facing Democratic challengers this year for their suburban seats and have been spending more time and money than usual campaigning for reelection.

Ruckelshaus, who is expected to be in a close race with Democratic challenger Fady Qaddoura, raised the most out of Indianapolis-area lawmakers, bringing in more than $657,000. He had $133,500 cash on hand as of Oct. 9.

Qaddoura raised $430,000 and had $81,000 remaining. Since the Oct. 9 reporting deadline, Qaddoura has received more than $36,000 in large contributions, but nearly all of that—$34,000—was from in-kind contributions from the Indiana Democratic State Central Committee.

Huston, whose district includes most of Fishers, raised more than $614,000 and had more than $404,000 remaining, as of Oct. 9. And since then, he has received $188,000 in large contributions, which includes the $25,000 from Holcomb.

Huston’s Democratic opponent, Aimee Rivera Cole, raised close to $135,000 and had about $15,000 remaining.

Schaibley, who represents parts of Hamilton and Boone counties, raised nearly $287,000 and had $12,000 cash on hand, as of Oct. 9. Since then, she has received the $5,000 from Holcomb plus $30,000 from the House Republican Campaign Committee.

Democrat Naomi Bechtold, who is running against Schaibley, only raised nearly $72,000, but she had more cash remaining than Schaibley at the end of the reporting period, with nearly $20,000 available.

Jeter, whose district includes parts of Fishers and northeast Indianapolis, raised nearly $263,000, while his opponent Democrat Pam Dechert only raised about $71,000. But Dechert had more cash on hand as of Oct. 9, with nearly $49,000 compared to Jeter’s $26,000.

Sandlin, whose district covers most of downtown Indianapolis and parts of the south side of the city, more than tripled his Democratic opponent in fundraising, reporting more than $290,000 in contributions. He had nearly $65,000 cash on hand, as of Oct. 9.

Democrat Ashley Eason raised $86,000 and had close to $48,000 remaining.

Election Day is Nov. 3, but early voting is already underway.