Mulvaney takes fundraising lead in 5th District race

U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney has taken a strong lead in fundraising in the 5th District congressional race, thanks largely to money from political committees.

Mulvaney, R-Indian Land, had raised $579,559 in his race against Democrat Fran Person, who had raised $222,338 this year, according to Federal Election Commission filings through May 25.

At the end of the first quarter, Mulvaney trailed Person in fundraising for the 11-county district, which stretches from the North Carolina border to Sumter County. Through the end of March, the Tega Cay Democrat, a former USC football player and aide to Vice President Joe Biden, had raised $177,757 to $164,127.21 for the three-term GOP incumbent.

However, that has changed in the two months since.

In April and May, Mulvaney raised an additional $69,791 compared to $44,581 for Person.

Most of Mulvaney’s money has come from political committees; $372,890 compared to $205,322 in individual contributions. Person has raised $216,138 from individual donors but only $6,200 from political committees.

Among Mulvaney’s contributors are Blue Cross Blue Shield and Financial Service Centers of America, which gave $5,000 each; Bank of America with $4,000; and $2,687 in in-kind travel from the Club for Growth.

Person’s largest donation — $5,000 — is from Bridge PAC, affiliated with U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn of Columbia, the only Democrat in South Carolina’s congressional delegation.

Person said he doesn’t think he will “have the access” that Mulvaney to money from political committees. But, he added, “I’ve gotten a very good response from Republicans and Democrats. ... It’s going to be a battle, a stark contrast in November.”

Mulvaney’s campaign declined to comment on fundraising before of the end of the second quarter. Quarterly reports will be released July 15.

This story was originally published June 30, 2016 at 5:08 PM with the headline "Mulvaney takes fundraising lead in 5th District race."