In the 5th district special election contest, the initial fundraising numbers for the latest reporting period showed both Niki Tsongas (D) and Jim Ogonowski (R) with almost an even amount of cash on hand.

Ogonowski spokesman Barney Keller said his candidate had $221,120 in cash on hand for the days leading up to the Oct. 16 special election, compared with Tsongas’ $240,708.

Tsongas’ campaign, however, announced she raised more than $600,000 since the last required filing deadline on Aug. 15, while Ogonowski’s campaign said he raised $200,513 during that same period. In total, Tsongas has raised $1,866,974 and Ogonowski has raised $434,120.

The winner of the election will fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Marty Meehan (D), who resigned from Congress in July. If Tsongas is elected to the entirely Democratic Massachusetts delegation, she would be the first female Member representing the state in 25 years.

— Shira Toeplitz