Iraq War veteran Eric Egland, challenging Rep. John Doolittle in the 4th district Republican primary, revealed last week that he raised $77,000 in the third quarter.

Egland jumped into the race one month into the Federal Election Commission reporting period. He had around $70,000 in cash on hand at the end of September.

“I’ve spent most of my life on military campaigns, not political ones, so this was a decisive first step,” Egland said in a statement. “The outpouring of financial support from the grassroots absolutely astounded me.”

Egland supported Doolittle in the previous cycle and even cut a television spot for him that ran during the home stretch of his narrow victory over Democrat Charlie Brown, who is running again this cycle.

The 4th district, which covers the suburbs and foothills just east of Sacramento, is solid Republican territory. However, the Justice Department investigation into Doolittle’s connections to jailed GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff has put the Congressman at risk of losing to Brown should he win the Republican primary.

Doolittle’s fundraising through the first two quarters was disappointing. Through June 30, the Republican had raised less than Brown.

Former Auburn Mayor Mike Holmes also is running in the 4th district GOP primary. State Assemblyman Ted Gaines (R) has opened an exploratory committee and is considering a bid. Republican sources say former state Sen. Rico Oller (R) will run if Doolittle retires.

Oller was a candidate in the nearby 3rd district GOP primary in 2004, losing to now-Rep. Dan Lungren (R).

— David M. Drucker