9 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump outraised GOP challengers in recent filings

Rachel Looker, USA TODAY
·6 min read
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WASHINGTON – Nine House Republicans who voted to impeach former President Donald Trump outraised their GOP challengers over the summer months, new federal election data shows.

The incumbents are being targeted by Trump and his allies who want to unseat them for their decision to vote with Democrats to impeach Trump for the "incitement" of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. Of the 10 House Republicans who backed Trump's impeachment, nine are running for reelection and some are facing candidates endorsed by the ex-president.

Federal Election Commission totals released this month showed the incumbents raised more money than their Republican challengers in the third quarter, which includes July, August and September.

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Rep. Liz Cheney on Feb. 11, 2021, in Washington, D.C.
Rep. Liz Cheney on Feb. 11, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., leads the group in fundraising, amassing more than $1.7 million in the third quarter. She was by far the top fundraiser among those who voted for impeachment, bringing in more than $1 million more than her nearest counterpart. .

Harriet Hageman, Cheney's primary opponent endorsed by Trump, raised slightly over $300,000 in fundraising for the quarter. Hageman entered the race in September.

The other eight Republicans who supported impeachment in some cases raised double or nearly double the amount as their Republican primary challengers.

One Republican who voted for impeachment, Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, R-Ohio, announced in September that he would not be seeking reelection. He stated one factor for his decision was the “toxic dynamics” of the Republican Party.

More: Ohio Republican Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, who voted to impeach Trump, won't seek reelection

Gonzalez raised $144,133 during the third quarter while the Trump-endorsed candidate who wants to replace him, Max Miller, raised $695,457, which includes a $500,000 loan from the candidate, according to the FEC filing. Miller has brought in $1,646,977 this cycle.

Nathan Gonzales, editor and publisher of Inside Elections, which provides nonpartisan analysis of campaigns, said despite the nine House Republicans outpacing their challengers in fundraising, they face other problems that money can't fix.

Gonzales said voting to impeach Trump was unpopular with Republican primary voters who may side with the former president more than their member of Congress.

More: Liz Cheney, 9 other House Republicans voted to impeach Trump: Who do they face in 2022 midterms?

“Fundraising is important and it’s a key factor in elections, but raising the most is not the cure for this particular problem,” he said.

Cheney, for example, has been the most vocal critic of Trump. Gonzales said Cheney's challengers may not have to raise as much money to inform voters of her stance against the former president and about her decision to vote for impeachment.

"That's one of the fundamental challenges for any candidates who want to take on one of the impeachment Republicans, is making sure that primary voters are aware of that vote," he said.

He added that the impeachment vote is just one factor in the elections, with a few of the nine House Republicans facing the threat of redistricting, including Reps. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill.; Fred Upton, R-Mich.; and Peter Meijer, R-Mich.

More: Who are the 9 House Republicans who voted to hold Steve Bannon in contempt?

"These impeachment Republicans aren't going to lose because they didn't have enough money,” he said. “If they lose, it will be in large part because they voted to impeach the president.”

Here's how the other candidates fared during the third quarter:

Jaime Herrera Beutler

Herrera Beutler represents the southwest corner of Washington and raised $523,591 in the third quarter for a total of $1,778.877 for the election cycle.

Opponent Joe Kent, a retired U.S. Special Forces officer, raised $452,132 in the third quarter for a total of $1,087,755 raised this election cycle. Kent received Trump's endorsement on Sept. 1.

John Katko

Katko, who represents the Syracuse, New York, area, raised $488,743 in the third quarter for a total of $1,421,021 raised this election cycle.

His Republican primary challenger, John Murtari, raised $2,025 in the third quarter – the only funds he has raised since declaring his candidacy.

Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., walks down the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 23 in Washington, DC.
Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., walks down the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Sept. 23 in Washington, DC.

Adam Kinzinger

Kinzinger raised $562,356 in the last filing period for a total of $2,595,281 in the election cycle.

He faces Catalina Lauf, a former Department of Commerce adviser under Trump, for the seat in northern Illinois. Lauf raised $453,209 for the same filing period and has raised $809,653 in the election cycle.

Peter Meijer

Meijer represents the Grand Rapids, Michirgan, area and raised $277,550 for the third quarter. He has raised $1,205,306 in the election cycle.

One GOP challenger, Afghanistan veteran Tom Norton, raised $70,359 in the third quarter, for a total of $136,541 in the election cycle.

Norton leads another Republican opponent of Meijer's, Audra Johnson, who received attention after holding a Make America Great Again-themed wedding, according to Fox 17. Johnson raised $12,862 in the third quarter. She has raised a total of $27,498 since declaring her candidacy.

Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Mich., speaks about the American military withdrawal in Afghanistan, during a meeting with House Republicans, including those who served in the military, on Aug. 30.
Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Mich., speaks about the American military withdrawal in Afghanistan, during a meeting with House Republicans, including those who served in the military, on Aug. 30.

Dan Newhouse

Newhouse, who represents a large area of central Washington, raised $162,741 in the third quarter. His funds raised this election cycle total $703,242.

Newhouse faces a handful of challengers in the 2022 primary, including Jerrod Sessler, a veteran and former NASCAR driver. Sessler raised the most out of the challengers with $118,856 for the third quarter. He has raised $408,001 in the election cycle.

Behind Sessler is Loren Culp, a former gubernatorial candidate, who raised $81,472 in the third quarter for a total of $104,513 in the election cycle.

Tom Rice

Rice's fundraising numbers for the third quarter stood at $401,053. He has raised $1,136,463 for the race to represent northeastern South Carolina.

His GOP opponent, combat veteran Graham Allen, raised $237,000 for the third quarter. Allen has raised $738,244 for the election cycle.

Fred Upton

Upton raised $292,943 in the last filing period. He has raised $910,750 for the 2021-22 election cycle in his reelection bid to represent southwest Michigan.

He faces Trump-backed opponent Steve Carra, who serves in the Michigan House of Representatives. Carra raised $155,585 in the third quarter for a total of $224,107 since declaring his candidacy.

David Valadao

Valadao raised $317,964 for the third quarter in his reelection race to represent a district in the San Joaquin Valley in California. He has raised $1,187,557 in total for the election cycle.

His top-earning GOP opponent, former Fresno City Council member Chris Mathys, raised less than half compared to Valadao with $104,378 for the third quarter. Mathys has raised a total of $323,509.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Republicans who voted to impeach Trump outraised challengers in Q3