NASHVILLE -- Republican Grant Starrett outraised U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais, R-Tenn., by a 10-to-1 margin during the second quarter for his 4th Congressional District challenge to the congressman in the GOP's 2016 primary.
An attorney now living in Murfreesboro, Starrett reported to the Federal Election Commission today that he raised $506,677 in the April 1-June 30 period versus $52,270 raised by three-term incumbent DesJarlais, a South Pittsburg physician.
Most of the money raised by Starrett, who grew up in California, is from out of state. And that quickly drew fire from DesJarlais' campaign.
"It seems California is trying to buy an additional congressional district here in Tennessee," charged Robert Jameson, a DesJarlais spokesman. "I think it says a lot that our opponent raised less than one percent of his campaign funds from within Tennessee's Fourth Congressional District."
Starrett's campaign had no immediate comment.
The challenger also loaned his campaign $226,561 on top of the money he raised and gave another $23,400 in in-kind funds for polling.
After spending $79,896, Starrett had $653,342 in cash on hand. DesJarlais reported spending $34,619 and had $161,731 in the bank, giving Starrett a four-to-one edge.
DesJarlais' fundraising suffered in 2014 following the release of court transcripts revealing the South Pittsburg physician had affairs with patients and urged one to obtain an abortion as well as agreed to two abortions by his former wife.
But despite that and being outspent in the 2014 GOP primary by challenger Jim Tracy, DesJarlais eked out a 38-vote victory over Tracy.