NASHVILLE – U.S. Rep. Scott DesJarlais is reporting he raised nearly $140,000 during the first quarter of 2016, as the once-embattled South Pittsburg Republican continues to pick up support from businessmen and others in his 4th Congressional District District GOP primary with challenger Grant Starrett.
DesJarlais’ Jan. 1 through March 1 disclosure shows the three-term incumbent, nearly felled by personal revelations in his 2014 GOP primary race with Jim Tracy, raised $137,045 with contributors including Rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess ($1,000) and a major Tennessee Republican fundraiser, Stephen Smith ($2,700).
After spending $31,898, DesJarlais had $345,979 in cash on hand as of March 31.
Other DesJarlais contributors include: Cleveland businesswoman Brenda McKenzie ($2,700); state Sen. Mark Green, R-Clarksville ($1,000); Chattanooga businessman Greg Vital ($1,000); National Health Care Corp. Senior Vice President David Coggin of Murfreesboro ($1,000); McKee Food President Mike McKee of Collegedale ($1,200); state Rep. Billy Spivey, R-Lewisburg ($500 personal and $1,000 PAC) and state Rep. David Alexander, R-Winchester ($250).
AT&T’s PAC gave $1,000 while the American Bankers Association PAC gave $2,500. Contributing $5,000 was the House Freedom Fund, a PAC operated by the House Freedom Cause, a hardline-group of conservative U.S. representatives.