BILLINGS – U.S. Sen. Jon Tester brought in a personal record $3 million in the latest fundraising quarter, yet saw his cash reserves drop as the Montana Democrat spends heavily to counter President Donald Trump’s push to oust him.
Tester’s campaign said Friday he spent $3.7 million from April 1 to June 30. He had $6.1 million in cash remaining, down from $6.8 million in the prior quarter.
Tester has been forced to roll out ads nearly constantly defending his record amid an influx of outside money backing Republican nominee State Auditor Matt Rosendale.
Rosendale’s also getting a boost from visits to Montana by Trump and, later this month, Vice President Mike Pence.
Trump vowed to defeat Tester after they clashed over Trump’s pick for Veteran Affairs secretary.
Rosendale raised $1 million in the latest quarter.