Bill Hagerty raises $1.9 million from donors during first month in U.S. Senate race – Tennessean

Bill Hagerty raises $1.9 million from donors during first month in U.S. Senate race  Tennessean

Republican U.S. Senate candidate and former ambassador to Japan Bill Hagerty raised $1.9 million in less than a month, his campaign said Thursday.

Hagerty’s fundraising haul, which has yet to be posted on the Federal Election Commission’s website, came after he entered the race on Sept. 9. 

His latest totals did not include any personal loans or contributions from the former commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development, his campaign said. 

Hagerty’s main top-tier GOP opponent, Nashville trauma surgeon Manny Sethi, has yet to release his fundraising totals. Sethi raised $542,000 during the previous reporting period while loaning his campaign $1 million. 

Similarly, Democrat James Mackler has also not released his latest fundraising totals. Between January and the end of June, Mackler raised $548,000. 

Tennessee’s U.S. Senate race in 2018 between Republican Marsha Blackburn and Democrat Phil Bredesen was the most expensive in state history, with nearly $70 million spent by the candidates and outside groups. 

Next year’s Senate race is not expected to rival the cost of the 2018 election. 

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Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.

Published 11:57 AM EDT Oct 10, 2019