The eight candidates running for Connecticut's 5th Congressional District have raised a total of more than $6.7 million so far in this election cycle, an impressive sum this early in the campaign as Democrats and Republicans gear up for the battle over one of only two U.S. House seats in New England where an incumbent is not running for re-election.
Five of the eight candidates have already raised about $1 million or more apiece, according to federal campaign finance data released this week. Former state Representative Elizabeth Esty, a Democrat, leads the race in fundraising in Connecticut's 5th District race, reporting a total of nearly $1.2 million.
Both parties like their chances in the largely bipartisan district in northwestern Connecticut.
The seat held by Chris Murphy, who's running for Senate and the seat held by the retiring Massachusetts Representative Barney Frank are the seats where incumbents are not running in New England.
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