Barr campaign breaks 1 Million raised; rakes in almost $400k in 2nd quarter keeping pace with Chandler campaign

Andy Barr’s campaign released 2nd quarter fundraising totals showing the campaign keeping pace with Congressman Ben Chandler’s campaign in fundraising.

Barr’s campaign announced fundraising totaling $392,244.76 in the second quarter compared to the $397,614 for Chandler’s campaign. The funds push Barr over the $1-million total raised mark, and Chandler’s fundraising pushed him to over $1.5 million raised in 2012.

Republican sixth district congressional challenger Andy Barr, a Lexington lawyer, faces incumbent Democratic Congressman Ben Chandler. Barr lost to Chandler by 648 votes two years ago.

The nearly $400,000 in campaign contributions this quarter will bring Barr’s campaign cash-on-hand to $758,102.37 as of June 30th, and the campaign says they’ve raised plenty more since then. Chandler’s campaign cash-on-hand is at $1,345,663 according to the campaign.

Pat Melton, campaign manager for Andy Barr, took to a press release to point out their continuing fundraising momentum.

“Despite the fact that Andy Barr remains a challenger facing a 20-year career politician who will do and say just about anything to be re-elected, our campaign continues to generate exceptional excitement and momentum,” campaign manager Pat Melton said in a press release. “Our polling shows that only 41% of likely voters believe that Ben Chandler deserves to be re-elected and that 51% think it’s time for someone new.”

A survey of 400 likely voters in the 6th Congressional District had Chandler at 47 percent compared to 42 percent for Barr, a Lexington lawyer. Barr lost to Chandler by 648 votes two years ago.

The poll has a margin of error of 4.9 points, according to the memo. The Barr campaign received that memo from its polling firm, Public Opinion Strategies, on July 9th.

The latest polling data from Chandler ‘s campaign is a survey of 400 likely voters in the 6th Congressional District taken between March 26 and 28, that had Chandler at 54 percent compared to 30 percent for Barr.

The poll has a margin of error of 4.9 points, according to the memo. The Chandler campaign received that memo from its polling firm, the Mellman Group, on April 30.