Democrat Conor O'Callaghan top fundraiser for the quarter in 1st Congressional District

Democrat Conor O’Callaghan quickly became the top fundraiser in the crowded primary race for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District after joining the race in August, even topping the Republican incumbent, new federal reports show.

Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., narrowly hung on to his seat in the 2022 election, edging out Democrat Jevin Hodge with 50.4% of the vote, or about 3,000 votes in a district where about 361,000 people voted.

That’s got Democrats lined up across the affluent north Scottsdale district hoping to take him on in 2024.

O’Callaghan was the last of at least six Democrats to announce a run for the seat, and with just about 60 days of campaigning, he outraised the rest of the field, Schweikert included.

MORE: Who is running in CD 1?

In his first quarterly report, O’Callaghan reported raising $617,000 after refunds. He donated $121,000 to his campaign and loaned it another $516,000.

O'Callaghan works in finance as a managing director at BTIG.

Even without those personal contributions, he took in more than anyone else in the field.The quarterly reports cover July, August and September, and O’Callaghan only got in the race in August.

After $171,0000 in expenses, he was left with $962,000 to spend, according to his report.

That tops Schweikert’s $290,000 raised during the quarter and the $802,000 he was left with in hand. Schweikert is a former state lawmaker and Maricopa County treasurer.

The next closest fundraiser in the race was Democrat Andrei Cherny, a former CEO of a financial services company who raised about $375,000 during the quarter and ended with about $721,000 on hand after spending about $211,000 during the quarter.

Schweikert spent about $189,0000 for the quarter.

With just a five-seat Republican majority in the House of Representatives, Democrats see the district as one of their best chances to flip a seat, especially since Hodge, a relative political newcomer in his 20s, came so close in 2022.

Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales, a political analysis site, concludes there are 34 Republican incumbents like Schweikert who are vulnerable in 2024. The site notes that the district “tilts Republican,” but the seat is not so safe that the district “leans Republican.”

Cook Political Report with Amy Walter however rates the district a “toss up.”

While Cherny and Schweikert have raised more total money, O’Callaghan outraised them both for the quarter and was left with more cash on hand than those two.

The rest of the candidates were well behind in their collections for the quarter.

Democrat Marlene Galán-Woods, a former television journalist, reported raising about $208,000 for the quarter. After expenses, she was left with about $375,000 in hand, according to her quarterly filing.

Democrat Amish Shah, a doctor, raised about $158,000 for the quarter and was left with $385,000 on hand after spending about $135,000 on the campaign.

Democrat Kurt Kroemer, a former executive with the American Red Cross and other nonprofits, reported raising about $35,000 for the quarter and ending with about $119,000 in cash on hand.

Democrat Andrew Horne, an orthodontist, raised about $17,000 and was left with about $80,000 on hand.

Reach reporter Ryan Randazzo at ryan.randazzo@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4331. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @UtilityReporter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Rep. David Schweikert challenger tops incumbent in fundraising