Susan Bysiewicz’s campaign is losing its top fundraiser, Josh Handelman, who has helped the former secretary of the state rake in more than $1 million since announcing her U.S. Senate bid in January.
Campaign manager Jonathan Ducote said that Handelman “decided to seek other opportunities,” but is leaving the campaign with a strong foundation in place. “He’s done a lot of really good work for the campaign,” Ducote said.
In the first two fundraising quarters, Bysiewicz raised a total of about $930,000 and she ended June with about $720,000 in the bank. Those figures have ensured Bysiewicz is competitive with her rivals for the Democratic primary, Rep. Chris Murphy, D-5th, and state Rep. William Tong.
Ducote said Handelman won’t be leaving until the end of September, when the 3rd fundraising quarter closes, and the campaign will probably be naming a replacement soon.
As for how much Bysiewicz will have raised in the 3rd quarter, Ducote said, “we feel really comfortable about where we’re going to land.”
Bysiewicz and her competitors are vying for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Joseph Lieberman. On the Republican side, only one candidate, attorney Brian Hill, has announced so far, although ex-Rep. Chris Shays and former WWE executive Linda McMahon are expected to jump in soon.