When U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan returned to Congress this year, he declared that legislative work would be his top priority, not canvassing for campaign contributions.
Nolan's latest fundraising totals may reflect that pledge.
The Eighth District Democrat is the lone member of Minnesota's congressional delegation to be outraised by a challenger during the latest quarter, which covers the months of July, August and September.
Nolan's Republican opponent, Stewart Mills III, raised almost $244,000. That's close to double the $129,000 the Nolan campaign collected.
With $261,000 banked for his re-election bid, Nolan has an advantage over Mills' $234,000. But this was Mills' first fundraising quarter.
"This strong and early support for Mills … are the latest indicator that Minnesota voters are looking for new leadership and fresh solutions," said Alleigh Marre, a spokeswoman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, the campaign arm of House Republicans.
Rather than spend the four hours per day dialing for dollars that Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee staff recommended, Nolan told the Star Tribune he would only raise funds on evenings and weekends.
"If it means I'm a one-term congressman, so be it," said Nolan, who last served in Congress in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Money didn't determine the outcome in Nolan's last election. Last year, former U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack outraised Nolan to 2-to-1, but still lost his seat.
