SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — New campaign finance reports show that Democratic political newcomer Dr. Kathryn Allen significantly outpaced incumbent Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz in fundraising last quarter.
Allen raised about $561,000 this year through March after seeing a surge of donations after she criticized Chaffetz over his comments last month suggesting people should spend their money on health insurance instead of iPhones.
Allen is mounting a longshot challenge against Chaffetz in the 2018 election in the state’s 3rd congressional district where half of the voters are registered Republicans.
Chaffetz ended the quarter with nearly $403,000 in his account after raising about $171,000 during the period.
The fifth-term representative enjoys a high profile as the chair of the House Oversight Committee.
A third candidate, Republican Damian Kidd, raised $15,500 but was left with only $1,600 after spending most of it.