Report: Ward Raises $690,000 in Third Quarter of 2017

One of Jeff Flake's primary GOP challengers in Arizona has a lot more money in her coffers, according to a report in The Hill.

Kelli Ward, a doctor and former Arizona state senator, raised $690,000 in the third quarter of 2017, compared to $360,000 she raised in the first six months.

A former foe of Sen. John McCain in a 2016 Senate primary race, Ward has gotten the attention of President Donald Trump, who in mid-August tweeted: "Great to see that Dr. Kelli Ward is running against Flake Jeff Flake, who is WEAK on borders, crime and a non-factor in Senate. He's toxic!"

So far, Ward has raised $1.047 million in 2017, and has $250,000-plus cash in hand. Flake raised $1.1 million in the third quarter and has $3.4 million cash in hand.

"Dr. Ward's campaign to retire Sen. Jeff Flake is gaining incredible momentum," Brent Lowder, Ward's chief strategist for the campaign, told The Hill.

"Her broad fundraising base will continue to expand in the months ahead, while Sen. Flake's donor base is limited and will eventually max out," he continued. "Large campaigns in recent election cycles have shown that the candidate who can build a broad fundraising base holds the strongest position over time. We are exactly where we want to be at this early stage of the campaign. Sen. Flake and his supporters should be very worried about this trend."

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