Lenda Sherrell and Scott DesJarlaisWith fewer than 20 days before the general election, U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais has been outraised and outspent by Lenda Sherrell, the Democrat challenging him for his 4th Congressional District seat.
Campaign finance reports filed late Wednesday with the Federal Election Commission show Sherrell started the third quarter with about $20,000 less than DesJarlais, but by the end, she had picked up $246,000 more than the incumbent and spent $115,000 more.
And with Nov. 4 right around the corner, Sherrell has $132,000 more in spending power than the South Pittsburg physician.
From July 1 to Sept. 30, Sherrell raised $329,880 and spent $188,574 of that, reports show. That left her with $234,774 on hand.
DesJarlais, on the other hand, raised $72,276 and spent $82,413, bringing his balance to $102,756 ahead of the election.
Robert Jameson, a spokesman for DesJarlais' campaign, said they weren't daunted by the numbers.
Noting that DesJarlais was also heavily outspent during his successful -- albeit incredibly close -- August primary against state Sen. Jim Tracy, Jameson said the campaign is comfortable.
"We feel good with where we are at, and we feel confident about the election in November," Jameson said. "As was pretty clear in the last election, money isn't everything."
Jameson also said the 16-county 4th District is too conservative to accept Sherrell.
"The 4th District is a conservative district that widely rejects President Obama's policies -- policies that Sherrell embraced while working with Organizing for Action," he said. "The 4th District is fully aware of the congressman's independent conservative record."
Vanderbilt political science professor Bruce Oppenheimer tends to agree -- although he says DesJarlais should still be concerned.
"I think he thinks he can't lose, and that's probably right," Oppenheimer said. "But the question is does she make it closer than other people thought."
If Sherrell pulls more than 40 percent in the general election, DesJarlais might have a tougher primary next term.
"Do I expect her to win? No. But do I expect her to do better than I thought two months ago? Yes," Oppenheimer said. "Anything over 40 percent shows [DesJarlais is] endangering the district for the Republicans, so there might be ambitious Republicans next go-around to challenge him."
But Sherrell says Republican reign in the 4th District has been a short stint amid a long line of Democrats.
Before DesJarlais, the only Republican to serve in the seat since the 1920s was Van Hilleary from 1995 to 2003.
And people she has met are less concerned with the partisan divide and more concerned about breaking congressional gridlock.
"I think people did begin to assume a Democrat couldn't win in the district," Sherrell said. "But I'm not too concerned with labels. ... What I'm finding resonates with supporters is talking about issues, and values and the things we have in common."
As far as her support goes, Sherrell said she's been running a 21st-century campaign and traveling throughout the district's 16 counties.
"I've already been through a set of tires driving all over the district," she said.
Contact staff writer Louie Brogdon at lbrogdon@timesfreepress.com, @glbrogoniv on Twitter or at 423-757-6481.