O’Brien, Stelson report strong finances ahead of Pennsylvania 10th District primary

Both Democrats Mike O’Brien (left) and Janelle Stelson (right) reported that they each had more than $160,000 in cash less than two weeks before the primary election for the 10th Congressional District on April 23.

According to the Federal Election Commission, more than $1.4million was raised in the six-person contest to challenge Republican Congressman Scott Perry.

O’Brien, the former Top Gun pilot, reported the highest revenue on April 3 with $736.226.86. As of his most recent filing, he reported that he had more than $165,000 in cash.

O’Brien is also the leader in small-dollar contributions, having raised $299,109.69 from donations of less than $200. O’Brien’s funding is primarily from Pennsylvania but he also reported receiving nearly $29,000 from California, where his wife lives with their two children while completing her military service.

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O’Brien received $5,000 from Smart TD PAC, a transportation political action group and $3300 from DMA PAC.

Stelson is a former Central Pennsylvania TV anchor who reported raising $577.019.35 for her campaign. Her FEC report shows that she has over $191,000 in cash. She reported that she raised more than $20k from New York and Washington state, where she attended University of Puget Sound.

Stelson reported 91% of donations were less than $100. She trails O’Brien, however, in terms of small-dollar donations, with $176 367.71, which comes from donors who contributed $200 or less.

Stelson received $500 from Kutak Rock LLP Political Action Committee. This Nebraska-based PAC is composed of attorneys who have donated to both Republicans and Democrats.

O’Brien & Stelson both reported that they raised more than $63,000 through donations of at least $2,000

Blake Lynch, a former WITF executive and one of the final candidates to enter the race in the official election process, is third on the list of fundraisers. He reported raising $86,488.55 and having only $3,618.15 in cash.

Lynch’s campaign reported $20,600 worth of donations that were at least $2,000 in amount.

Shamaine Daniels, Harrisburg City Councilwoman, reported that she raised $72,957.32 in addition to having $7962.10 in cash.

Rick Coplen, a member of the Carlisle School Board, reported that he had raised $88,870.60 in cash and $52,237.13 on hand.

John Broadhurst, a businessman from New Hampshire, was sixth with $21,842.64 raised and $67.01 in cash.

Perry, who has no primary opponent, raised more than $ 2 million and reported $513,460.71 in cash.

In the 10th District, which includes Dauphin and Cumberland counties, more than 200,000 Democrats have registered to vote.

The deadline for requesting a mail-in ballot or absentee vote is 5 pm on Friday, April 16. All ballots must arrive by 8 pm on Sunday, April 23.