Roggio picks up the pace, but still faces uphill money race against Gerlach

U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-West Pikeland) continues to significantly outperform his Democratic opponent Bob Roggio in the money race, but with Roggio's campaign said the pace picked up during the second quarter.

Roggio's campaign had already sought to play down results of its second quarter fundraising, saying the third quarter was when things would really take off. As campaign finance reports were released Tuesday, the reason for that caution became clear.

Roggio raised almost $180,000 in the second quarter for his bid to unseat Gerlach in the 6th Congressional District, while Gerlach raised about $343,000, according to FEC filings. That means Roggio has raised almost $325,000 to date, compared to $1.8 million for Gerlach.

Meanwhile, the Roggio campaign has been spending money to try to introduce voters to a political newcomer - his campaign has spent $16,000 itemized for "Media Consulting Services." The candidate himself has lent the campaign a total of $80,500.

At the end of the quarter, Roggio had about $260,000 on hand while Gerlach had about $761,000. Already Gerlach has far outspent Roggio, shelling out $1.2 million to Roggio's $145,000.

Roggio's campaign has for months insisted it will have enough money to run a competitive race. After close scares in two previous election bids, many political watchers see Gerlach in his safest position in years.