Simmons Raises $753,000 in Connecticut Senate Race
Former Rep. Rob Simmons (R-Conn.) has raised more than $753,000 since March for his Senate campaign, according to a fundraising memo obtained by Roll Call. Simmons is in a three-way primary for the GOP nomination to challenge Sen. Chris Dodd (D). Senate Republicans have indicated they are inclined to support Simmons, who has led Dodd in several polls testing the 2010 race. The Simmons campaign takes aim in the memo at one of their GOP opponents, former Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley, who announced Tuesday that he raised more than $530,000 in one month for his bid. Simmons campaign manager Jim Barnett wrote in the memo that Foley’s total was “less than we anticipated given his background as— a “professional political fundraiser and well-connected Wall Street Executive.— Also in the memo, Barnett wrote that they expect Dodd to report raising $2.5 million to $3 million in the quarter. The second quarter ended June 30, but fundraising reports are not due to be filed until July 15.The third Republican in the Senate race, state Sen. Sam Caligiuri, has said he has raised about $150,000 in the second quarter.