Indiana Capital Chronicle
INDIANAPOLIS — A handful of Republican candidates for Indiana’s Third Congressional District are setting themselves apart financially from the rest ahead of the party’s primary in May.
Over a dozen candidates have indicated their interest in Rep. Jim Banks’ Third District seat following his decision to pursue the Senate post.
Four GOP candidates have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in the third district, with one breaking the $1 million mark, by dipping into their own wallets to fund their campaigns.
Nonprofit executive Tim Smith reported over $1 million in contributions, but the vast majority of that funding comes from a $900,000 loan from himself. He has spent over $227,000 on the race and ends the year with the most cash on hand: $832,380.
Other big spenders included former Allen County Circuit Court Judge Wendy Davis, former U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman and State Sen. Andy Zay.
Davis raised $676,000 — including $83,200 from herself — and spent $338,885, leaving her with $337,885 at the end of the year.
A $100,000 loan from himself made up roughly one-sixth of Zay’s contributions, which totaled less than $547,000. He spent $318,000 in 2023 and still has more than $228,000 in the bank.
Over half of former congressman Marlin Stutzman’s $482,000 raised comes from a $250,000 loan to himself. After spending just under $308,000 — which included a $100,000 loan repayment to himself — he is left with $174,367 cash on hand.
Four other Republican candidates reported raising less than $50,000 and another two have no reports filed with the FEC.
On the Democrat side, Phil Goss outraised his primary opponent Kiley Adolph by giving his campaign a $154,000 boost, totaling nearly $162,000 in contributions. However, Adolph’s $17,000 in outside contributions is more than double Goss’ $8,000.
Goss spent $127,000 and has less than $35,000 on hand, though he still owes money to himself. Adolph has just under $4,000 left after spending nearly $13,000.
