Vernon’s fundraising swamps rivals in Iowa 1st District race

CEDAR RAPIDS - Monica Vernon swamped her rivals for the Democratic nomination in third-quarter fundraising, according the campaign finance reports.

She also raised 80 percent more than incumbent 1st District U.S. Rep. Rod Blum, a Dubuque Republican seeking a second term.

Vernon, a Cedar Rapids City Council member making her second run for Congress for the 1st District, received $253,000 during the July to October reporting period. Former Iowa House Speaker Pat Murphy of Dubuque raised $74,016, and Cedar Falls advertising executive Gary Kroeger collected $16,493, according to the Federal Election Commission.

The three Democrats are competing to face Blum, who defeated Murphy in 2014.

Vernon's fundraising for this election cycle totals $753,000, with $564,000 cash on hand. Murphy has raised $76,245 and has $86,652 on hand. Kroeger has raised $26,401 with $9,026 on hand.

Blum raised $139,688 during the quarter, spent $20,138 and reported $938,878 cash on hand, according to his FEC report.