Iowa Democrat tops Ernst in early fundraising report

Iowa Democrat Theresa Greenfield outraised Sen. Joni Ernst (R) in the state’s Senate race in the first half of the second quarter of 2020, according to a pre-primary report.

Greenfield raised about $1.5 million and has $4.7 million in the bank, according to her campaign’s latest filing with the Federal Election Commission. Meanwhile, Ernst raised $1.2 million, but boasts a beefier balance of $7 million, according to her campaign’s filing. 

Campaigns with primaries on June 2 have filed so-called pre-primary reports that cover from April 1 to May 13. Iowa is one of a handful of states that will hold its primary June 2. 

“We outraised @joniernst in the weeks leading up to our #IASen primary! Iowans are ready to flip this seat, and we have the momentum to get it done,” Greenfield tweeted. 

UPDATE: We outraised @joniernst in the weeks leading up to our #IASen primary! Iowans are ready to flip this seat, and we have the momentum to get it done. Help send this scrappy farm kid to the Senate. Chip in now: https://t.co/YdzYhVhIkB https://t.co/cvBoRrrzpr

— Theresa Greenfield (@GreenfieldIowa) May 22, 2020

Greenfield is running against a handful of other Democrats for the chance to challenge Ernst, though the real estate executive is widely considered the front-runner in the primary.

Democrats are eager to contest Ernst’s seat as they try to take control of the Senate. Though Iowa trends Republican in statewide races and voted for President Trump by about 10 points in 2016, the party is hopeful Greenfield can pose a stiff challenge in a presidential year that will likely have high turnout by both parties. 

The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper, rates the race as “Lean” Republican.