The Political Insider

Lindsey Graham’s Democratic challenger for his U.S. Senate seat, Jaime Harrison, raised a record-breaking $57 million in fundraising in the third quarter.

Republican Graham’s race against Democrat Harrison has been one of the most watched congressional races in the country. The money raised by Harrison between July and September breaks the former record of $38.1 million that Texas Democrat Beto O’Rourke raised in the third quarter of his 2018 Senate race.

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Harrison Haul Broke All Records For Third Quarter Earnings In A U.S. Senate Race

According the Center for Responsive Politics, O’Rourke’s fundraising that quarter broke the record for the largest-ever in a three month period for a U.S. Senate race.

Team Harrison said the $57 million for the third quarter came from 1.5 million donations averaging $37. This was a significant increase from the 994,000 donors during the second quarter of 2020.

Harrison’s grand total in donations for this campaign cycle to date? $86 million.

Graham: ‘They’re Killing Me Money-Wise. Help Me’

Graham has hard time trying to match Harrison dollar for dollar, which is new campaign territory for the South Carolina Republican.

Sen. Graham has ran for re-election for his current seat three times, which he handily won by double digits.

Now, he’s struggling more than ever before and is trying to energize his base.

Graham told Fox News host Sean Hannity, “I’m getting overwhelmed. Help me. They’re killing me money-wise. Help me. You did last week. Help me again.”

Graham still has not shared released his third-quarter fundraising numbers.

The senator has been a loyal ally of Donald Trump, despite being harshly critical of the President during both men’s time as candidates during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Harrison Helped By Hollywood Left

Harrison’s campaign has received a lot of help from left-leaning celebrities.

Actress and outspoken liberal Bette Midler tweeted in September, “#JaimeHarrison, raised in a mobile home by a single mom, got to Yale University & Georgetown Law, and came back to SC to make sure kids like him could go to college. He’s strong on the environment, healthcare, and education.”

“Throw a little love his way,” Midler added, with a link to donate to the Democrat’s campaign.

 

Leftwing singer and actress Cher tweeted in late September, “THERE ARE MANY GREAT DEMOCRATIC SENATORS 2 DONATE 2,BUT JAMIE HARRISON IS TIED WITH LINDSEY GRAHAM 4 SENATOR FROM S.CAROLINA VOTE 4 YOUNG,HONORABLE,BLK MAN,AGAINST REPUBLICAN HACK,PRESIDENTIAL A**(kiss)’R. LIAR,& THOSE ARE THE KINDEST THINGS I CAN SAY ABOUT MAN WITH NO CONSCIENCE.”

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Harrison’s $57 million announcement Sunday preceded a week of confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, Sen. Lindsey Graham, kicks off the hearings this week.