Senate Democrats raise big sums for tough midterm elections

Democratic Sen. Jon Tester of Montana raised $2 million during the second quarter of 2017 and ended June with $4.7 million stockpiled in the bank, his campaign announced Tuesday —  as Tester and other red state Democrats race to amass big campaign sums ahead of the 2018 midterm elections.

Campaign officials said 91% of Tester's donations came in amounts of $100 or smaller.

“Broad, grassroots support continues to grow for Jon’s campaign, and this filing is the latest sign of that,” Christie Roberts, Tester's campaign manager, said in a statement.

Tester, whose state went for President Trump by nearly 21 points last November, has been a top target for Republicans.

Other Democratic incumbents from states won by Trump in 2016 also are reporting big hauls for the April-to-June fundraising quarter.

They include: Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, who took in more than $3 million;  Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey, who each raised $2.6 million; and North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, who collected $1.3 million.

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