Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden holds a significant fundraising advantage over his Republican challenger, state Rep. Austin Theriault, in the closely watched race for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District.

The two other Maine incumbents seeking reelection to Congress, Sen. Angus King, an independent, and Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-1st District, also hold large fundraising leads over their challengers.

Rep. Jared Golden, left, will face Republican challenger Austin Theriault in November in one of the country’s most closely watched Congressional races. File photos by Andree Kehn/Sun Journal and Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Golden is trying to hold onto his seat for a fourth term in a district that has twice supported former President Donald Trump. He will once again be at the top of the ballot and has endorsed Theriault, a former NASCAR driver.

Golden raised nearly twice as much as Theriault during the most recent reporting period, covering May 23 to June 30, bringing in over $1 million, compared to Theriault’s $548,000, according to campaign finance reports filed Monday.

Golden has so far raised $4.8 million for his reelection bid and has nearly $3.3 million in cash on hand, while Theriault has raised $1.75 million and has nearly $900,000 on hand.

Those figures do not account for what is expected to be heavy spending on the race by outside groups.

AdImpact, which tracks political ad spending, predicts that a total of $102 million will be spent on political ads in Maine this year, with the 2nd District race being the most expensive contest.

The majority of that spending – about $64.6 million – is expected to focus on races for all of the seats in Maine’s Legislature, while the 2nd Congressional District race is expected to draw $15.8 million in overall spending, the presidential race could generate about $14.1 million and the Senate race could draw $7.1 million, AdImpact said.

Golden’s campaign is encouraged by its strong fundraising totals.

“People give to Congressman Golden’s campaign because they support him and the job he’s doing, and he appreciates their support,” campaign spokesperson Mario Moretto said in a written statement.

Theriault campaign manager Shawn Roderick accused Golden of accepting donations from corporate political action committees even though his website states that Golden “walked the talk by refusing to accept donations from corporate PACs.”

“Jared Golden lied about cashing in on corporate PAC money, just like he lies about his support of Joe Biden and lies about his support of Biden’s failed economic agenda,” Roderick said in a written statement.

A spokesman for Golden said the campaign has not accepted money from PACs established and controlled by corporations in keeping with the pledge on its website. It has accepted money from other types of PACs, including trade association PACs that get funding from corporations.

Two years ago, Golden spent more than $6 million in his successful reelection bid against former Republican Congressman Bruce Poliquin, who spent more than $3.5 million, according to OpenSecrets,  a nonpartisan nonprofit group that tracks money in politics.

That election, which drew about $22 million in outside spending, came as pundits were predicting a “red wave” that would sweep Republicans into power. The red wave never materialized, largely because of backlash against the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end federal abortion protections guaranteed under Roe v. Wade.

In the Senate race, King has raised more money that his three challengers combined.

King has raised about $4.8 million for his reelection campaign, including more than $473,000 in the most recent period. He has more than $3.1 million remaining.

KING FAR OUTRAISES CHALLENGERS

Campaign Manager Gaetan Davis said in a written statement that fundraising for the second quarter, which includes the most recent reporting period, was King’s “strongest fundraising quarter to date” but is only one sign of support and enthusiasm for the campaign.

“As Senator King travels throughout the state listening to Maine people speak to the issues that matter most, I am inspired by the energy that is building as the campaign ramps up,” Davis said. “It’s this outpouring of volunteer support knocking on doors, making phone calls and putting up yard signs … that affirms Maine’s commitment to keep Senator King’s voice in Washington.”

King’s Republican challenger, Demi Kouzounas, has raised $504,000 in total, including $203,000 in the most recent period. She has $333,000 on hand.

“Demi is humbled by the generous support she has received from across Maine,” campaign spokesperson Jack Cianchette said in a written statement. “Moving into the summer, her campaign is continuing to gain momentum and is well-positioned to retire Senator King and restore Maine’s voice in the Senate.”

King’s Democratic challenger, David Costello, has raised $101,500 and has $87,000 in cash on hand, while political newcomer and independent Jason Cherry has raised $55,000 and has $6,000 on hand.

In the 1st District, Pingree has raised nearly $440,000 and has more than $472,000 in cash on hand, compared with her Republican opponent, Ronald Russell, who has raised just over $67,570 with $8,740 remaining.

NOTE: This story was updated Wednesday, July 17 to add a clarification from the Golden campaign about corporate PAC donations.