Democratic Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla turned in another solid fundraising quarter Wednesday, hauling in more than any of her potential Republican rivals in the 2nd Congressional District.
De La Isla piled up about $356,000 in the second quarter, almost three times as much as Republican incumbent Steve Watkins and more than four times as much as Republican Kansas Treasurer Jake LaTurner.
Republican Dennis Taylor, the former secretary of administration, trailed the entire field of Republicans and Democrats.
De La Isla raised $356,307 in the second quarter, compared to $122,192 for Watkins, $81,687 for LaTurner and $57,130 for Taylor.
It was the second consecutive quarter that De La Isla has led the entire field seeking the 2nd Congressional District seat.
De La Isla reported raising $337,761 in the first quarter, which was almost three times as much as Watkins raised in the first quarter and nearly eight times as much as LaTurner.
Watkins raised $122,899 during the first quarter, while LaTurner brought in $42,859 in that time.
The cash on hand as of June 30 stands like this:
De La Isla: $522,624
LaTurner: $524,610
Watkins: $368,252
Taylor: $30,674
De La Isla has gotten aid from some key Democrats in Kansas, namely former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and former House Minority Leader Paul Davis.
De La Isla’s campaign has held a number of virtual events with big-name national Democrats, such as former presidential candidates U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.
In May, Buttigieg’s freshly created Win the Era political action committee endorsed De La Isla and 21 other candidates running at all levels of government.
The PAC, named after a phrase Buttigieg used on the campaign trail, was formed to elect a new generation of leaders.
