*UPDATED TO REFLECT NEW FILINGS
WASHINGTON -- Two Democrats vying to replace retiring Republican Rep. John Kline raised almost a combined $1 million in only three months, both campaigns reported.
Angie Craig, a vice president at St. Jude Medical, reported raising $507,586 between July 1 and Sept. 30.
Her opponent Dr. Mary Lawrence, who in the past worked at a vision center for veterans, reported raising $407,775. Lawrence is mostly self-financing her campaign, according to FEC reports. She gave herself another $370,000 in the third quarter, raising only $37,775 from donors. This comes after loans of $800,000 in the first half of 2015.
Craig, too, has kicked in $375k to her own campaign over 2015, according to reports. This means in the last quarter, she received $118k in total contributions and the rest she gave herself.
Republican Jason Lewis announced three days ago he, too, was running for Kline's seat. He has filed only initial paperwork with the feds.
The open Second Congressional seat is now considered a top tier race for Democrats nationally. Without a popular incumbent running, they see a chance to permanently change it from red to blue.
Historically, voters there are ticket-splitters, supporting President Obama and both Minnesota's Democratic senators, while also voting for Kline.
