Gloria Johnson (left) and Marsha Blackburn
The 2024 U.S. Senate race is picking up some steam as incumbent Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn and Democratic hopeful Gloria Johnson reported fundraising totals earlier this week.
Both camps touted their hauls from the third quarter, Johnson's first in the race, with Johnson announcing she had raised more than $1.3 million and Blackburn announcing a $2.7 million quarter. But Blackburn's total was a mixture of several sources, with just $249,646 donated by individuals directly to her campaign. (Virtually all of Johnson's money came from individuals giving directly to her campaign.) The Blackburn team also included totals from joint fundraising committees, transfers from a separate Blackburn fund, so-far-unreported funds held in that fund and interest accrued on campaign cash.
Still, Blackburn has a sizable advantage in cash on hand, with more than $6.5 million in the bank. Johnson has more than $1.2 million in the bank.
Johnson still must win the Democratic primary for the chance to take on Blackburn. Also running is Marquita Bradshaw, a Memphis environmental activist who was the Democratic nominee in the 2020 Senate race won by Republican Bill Hagerty. Bradshaw has yet to report fundraising from the third quarter.
Johnson, a Democratic state representative from Knoxville, reported contributions from Knoxville officials like Mayor Indya Kincannon and former Mayor Madeline Rogero, Democratic colleagues in the legislature including Sen. Jeff Yarbro and Rep. Jason Powell, and entertainment industry figures including Kim Williams-Paisley, Peter Frampton, Callie Khouri and Roseanne Cash. Johnson lists four paid staffers, and she reported spending $86,644.10.
"We are just getting started," Johnson said earlier this month. "The support we've seen this quarter is a testament to the power of grassroots organizing and the desire for effective, principled leadership in the Senate. I am committed to delivering results for the people of Tennessee and I’ll work my tail off to make sure their voices are heard in Washington."
Her spending was far less than the more than $500,000 spent by Blackburn during the quarter. Blackburn's donors include local business executives Tim Hingtgen, Colin Reed, Jimmy Granbery, Cordia Harrington, Joelle Phillips and former Gov. Bill Haslam. Among Blackburn's top 18 donors this year, just four were from Tennessee. Among Johnson's donors at the same level, all were from Tennessee (though Florida investor Donald Sussman just missed the cut).
“I am so grateful to all the Tennesseans across the state who have graciously donated to our campaign to keep Tennessee, Tennessee,” Blackburn said. “The conservative values and principles that define the Volunteer State are worth fighting for, and every donation helps us keep Tennessee red come next November."
One early poll of the race shows Blackburn with a big lead over Johnson. Emerson College found that 50 percent of registered voters support Blackburn, while 26 percent support Johnson, with 25 percent undecided. The Beacon Center is set to release another poll in the race next week.
