WASHINGTON — Rep. Vern Buchanan led second-quarter fundraising among GOP hopefuls for the party’s top spot on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, raking in more than $860,000 in contributions.
The Florida Republican drew donations from major tax firms, companies across the health care and medical industries, mega billionaire Bill Gates and more during the three-month span from April through June, according to his latest Federal Election Commission filing.
Missouri Rep. Jason Smith, who’s also seeking the Ways and Means spot, brought in more than $430,000, and another contender, Rep. Adrian Smith of Nebraska, raised almost $330,000. Buchanan’s second-quarter haul means he’s raised more than $3.5 million during the campaign cycle, as of the end of June, compared to Jason Smith’s $2.1 million and Adrian Smith’s $1.2 million.
