GOP challenger Sean Parnell outraised Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Allegheny) in the third quarter of 2020, despite the Allegheny County Democrat raising more money than any other Democratic incumbent in the state over the past three months. 

Parnell’s campaign raised $1.62 million from the beginning of July to the end of September, while spending $1.54 million during this time period. His third quarter haul is $900,000 more than he raised in the previous quarter when his campaign brought in just under $720,000 from the beginning of April to the end of June. 

Parnell has now raised $2.81 million in the election cycle-to-date and entered October with just under $955,000 cash on hand. 

Lamb’s campaign raised $1.22 million from the beginning of July to the end of September, while spending $1.17 million during this time period. His third quarter haul is over $780,000 more than he raised in the previous quarter when his campaign brought in just over $440,000 from the beginning of April to the end of June. 

The freshman Democrat has now raised $3.53 million in the election cycle-to-date. 

Although Parnell has outraised Lamb in back-to-back quarters, the Allegheny County Democrat maintains a cash on hand advantage in the race and entered October with $1.38 million.

According to Open Secrets, Lamb raised the second most funds of any Congressional candidate in the state from 2017-2018, only trailing Democrat Scott Wallace who largely self funded his unsuccessful bid in the 1st District. He raised over $9M over the course of both races in 2018.

Lamb’s first race captured national attention when he upset GOP state Rep. Rick Saccone in the special election in the Trump friendly old 18th District. His opponent for the newly drawn 17th District, Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-Allegheny), was a well funded candidate, who raised over $3M during his re-election bid.

The Cook Political Report lists the race as Leans Democratic, while Inside Elections, and Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball all have the race in PA17 as Likely Democratic.

Lamb is one of three Pennsylvania Democrats being targeted by the NRCC’s initial 2020 list, along with Reps. Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna) and Susan Wild (D-Lehigh).