Former state Rep. Elizabeth Esty has won the first quarter fundraising contest among Democrats seeking the nomination for the open seat in the 5th Congressional District, exceeding House Speaker Chris Donovan’s take by one third and more than doubling the receipts of newcomer Dan Roberti.

Esty raised $360,000 and had $800,000 cash on hand, compared to Donovan’s $232,000 for the quarter and $610,000 cash on hand. Roberti raised just $144,964 for the quarter, but he had $528,770 cash on hand.

Esty and Roberti now have exceeded $1 million in total fundraising, while Donovan is close behind with $940,000.

They are trying to succeed U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, D-5th District, who is running for U.S. Senate.

Mark is the Capitol Bureau Chief and a co-founder of CT Mirror. He is a frequent contributor to WNPR, a former state politics writer for The Hartford Courant and Journal Inquirer, and contributor for The New York Times.

Leave a comment