- Associated Press - Tuesday, April 16, 2019

BOSTON (AP) - U.S. Sen. Edward Markey raised more than $950,000 during the first three months of the year, bringing his campaign war chest to more than $3.5 million as he ramps up his fundraising ahead of the 2020 election.

Nearly 75 percent of Markey’s contributions during the first quarter of 2019 came from individual donors, with the rest coming from other sources like political action committees, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

The 72-year-old Massachusetts Democrat, who is up for re-election to a second term next year, also reported spending about $205,000 so far this year.

On paper, Markey is considered potentially vulnerable in a Democratic Party that is increasingly supporting more diverse candidates. Just last year challenger Ayanna Pressley defeated longtime incumbent Democrat Michael Capuano to become the state’s first black woman elected to the U.S. House.

Still, Markey has a long political history in Massachusetts, having served in the House for decades before winning election to the Senate seat formerly held by fellow Democrat John Kerry. No candidate from either major political party has yet to declare that they will challenge Markey next year.

Members of the state’s all-Democratic congressional delegation also reported donations for the first quarter of the year.

Rep. Joe Kennedy had one of the biggest hauls, collecting almost $372,000 from January through March. That brings his total campaign cash-on-hand to nearly $4.2 million.

Rep. Seth Moulton, who is mulling a run for president, raised $255,000 so far this year, while Pressley collected just over $200,000.

Rep. Katherine Clark, who holds a key Democratic leadership post in the House, raised about $177,000 this year, bringing her cash total to just over $1 million.

Rep. Jim McGovern, who announced earlier this year that he will no longer accept corporate donations, reported raising $127,000, bringing his campaign cash-on-hand number to about $314,000. McGovern is chairman of the House Rules Committee.

Rep, Stephen Lynch reported raising about $61,000 bringing his campaign cash total to $1.4 million. Rep. William Keating raised just $32,000 during the first quarter, bringing his campaign war chest to $1.4 million.

Fundraising totals for Reps. Richard Neal, who is chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, and Lori Trahan have yet to be posted to the FEC website.

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