Cicilline Shows Formidable Fundraising

Providence mayor David Cicilline announced that he has raised $725,000 since declaring his congressional candidacy six weeks ago, more than triple the amount raised by his closest Democratic rival during the same period.

According to CQ Politics, Cicilline set a high bar for primary opponent Bill Lynch, the former Rhode Island Democratic chairman. The men are competing to succeed retiring congressman Patrick Kennedy. State house minority whip John Loughlin is the likely Republican nominee.

Lynch has raised $230,000, according to CQ Politics, a total that includes $100,000 of his own money. Cicilline has not contributed his personal funds, but much of his campaign cash comes from donors who redirected money from his mayoral reelection bid.

Cicilline, who is gay, told his supporters that the fund-raising "exceeded all of our expectations," according to the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.