One of the Democrats who hoped to challenge U.S. Sen. Susan Collins for her seat next year has dropped his bid, leaving four Democrats in the running.
Jon Treacy, a retired U.S. Air Force major general from Oxford, said Tuesday that he would end his campaign after raising just $34,000 between July and September. Treacy pointed to funding as part of the reason for dropping out, saying the “vast sums of money necessary to fund a competitive campaign are realistically ‘a bridge too far.’”
Treacy’s fundraising over the summer placed him third among the five Democratic candidates. House Speaker Sara Gideon of Freeport raised $3.2 million between July and September, Hallowell lobbyist Betsy Sweet raised $183,000, Saco lawyer Bre Kidman raised $14,000 and Bangor travel agent Michael Bunker raised no money.
Gideon, who has national Democratic backing, outraised Collins during the summer fundraising period. But Collins’ $2.1 million haul added to a larger fundraising total overall ahead of the 2020 election.
Treacey launched his campaign in September.