By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA Staff Writer
roarty@politicspa.com
The campaign for Democratic U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire said Tuesday it has raised $1.2 million since his re-election in 2008 and had $979,000 on hand at the end of last year.
The campaign said the fundraising puts the congressman on pace to surpass the $3 million he raised during the last election cycle, which culminated with an easy win over Republican Melissa Hart.
Altmire likely faces a challenge in the general election against former U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan, although the Republican first must defeat attorney Keith Rothfus in a 4th Congressional District GOP primary. Buchanan has not officially declared her candidacy, but according to reports and GOP sources she has decided to challenge Altmire.
Her late start, combined with Altmire’s fundraising prowess, could put her at a significant disadvantage in the fundraising battle.
Any primary challenger, as some Democratic officials have publicly speculated about, would also face a huge task to overcome Altmire’s fundraising.
Jason better get more for his vote than that because it will take a heap of money more….lokk out, Mary Beth Buchanan’s coming.