Kansas Democratic Candidate Raises $110K in Week After Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders Rally

By Jesus Rodriguez, The Hill

27 July 18

 

he campaign of Brent Welder, a Democrat running for a House seat in Kansas, has raised about $110,000 in the week since a rally with progressive icons Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

The campaign announced on Thursday announced the haul, which represents an eight-fold boost in fundraising for Welder, who is running to oust incumbent Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.).

The campaign also said it is now registering as many as 50 new volunteers per day.

Welder held a rally last Friday with Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, who rose to national prominence last month after beating Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley (N.Y.) in the primary.

Welder, a former organizer for both Sanders and former President Obama's campaigns, is one of the few candidates that Ocasio-Cortez has stumped for since becoming a national political figure.

"This national campaign isn't just about showing that progressive values can win in other parts of the country -- but that an unapologetically progressive platform that combats the influence of corporate money in our political system is the key to winning in these swing districts," Ocasio-Cortez said in a press release before last week's rally.

Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez also campaigned for House candidates James Thompson in Kansas and Cori Bush in Missouri.

Welder, who faces a crowded Democratic primary Aug. 7, was already the leading in second quarter fundraising.

A February poll conducted on behalf of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee showed Welder leading Yoder by 7 points in a potential general election matchup.

Ocasio-Cortez is set to attend a rally for Michigan gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed (D) this Saturday.