U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (D-7) posted her best fundraising quarter yet over the past three months, raising four times as much as her Republican state challenger Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh).
Wild’s campaign raised $2.58 million from the beginning of July to the end of September, which is the second highest result of all congressional candidates in Pennsylvania in the third quarter, behind only the Democratic candidate in the 10th Congressional District Janelle Stelson earned $2.85 million. Mackenzie’s campaign raised just over $585,000 in the last three months.
So far in the election cycle, Wild’s campaign has raised $7.66 million, while Mackenzie’s campaign has raised $1.26 million since his announcement. candidacy for the seat in July 2023.
Over the past three months, Wild’s campaign has significantly outperformed Mackenzie and all other congressional candidates. From the beginning of July to the end of September, Wild’s campaign spent $5.15 million, while Mackenzie’s campaign spent $645,000.
Wild also has a significant cash advantage over Mackenzie. She entered October with almost $930,000 in cash, while Mackenzie’s campaign started the month with just over $305,000.
Although Wild started the month with about $625,000 more than her rival, she had a larger cash advantage at this point in the previous two election cycles. In October 2022 her campaign had $1.57 million available entering October as the Republican challenger Lisa Scheller had just under $545,000. In October 2020 Wild’s campaign was allocated $1.54 million How Scheller’s campaign raised $330,000.
Wild was first elected to Congress in 2018. She overtook Scheller by 2 points 2022 and less than 4 points above it in 2020.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has tried to flip this seat over the last few cycles, and they did intends to do it again in November.
The Lehigh Valley congressional district is viewed as top leader with 17 seats in the state’s delegation.
AND Muhlenberg College Survey/Morning Call released on October 11 showed Wild leading Mackenzie by 6 points, 51% to 45%, which is within the poll’s 6% margin of error.
Cook Political Report AND Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ballseveral national ratings outlets rate the 7th Congressional District race as “tossed,” while Inside the election describes the race as “tilting Democrats.”
