Exclusive: Democratic challenger to GOP Rep. Scott Perry raises $500k in 2 days
Why it matters: For a candidate essentially asking donors for a second chance, those are encouraging numbers.
Bombshell fundraising announcements can also make other potential Democratic hopefuls think twice about jumping into the primary.
"We are building the coalition needed to win this seat and it's clear that momentum is on our side," Stelson said in a statement to Axios.
What we're watching: Stelson, like other 2024 retreads, still needs to get through a 2026 primary process, which could get messy.
The Democratic party is still processing Zohran Mamdani's shock win in New York City, with even established incumbents wondering if they'll be victims of a progressive insurgency.
Zoom in: Repeat candidates bring certain advantages to a rematch, including name ID and a donor list that can be resuscitated.
But they also enter the race having been rejected the previous cycle.
Still, Democratic party strategists are convinced that the midterm electorate will be more forgiving to their candidates with President Trump off the ballot.
They are betting that tough losses in a presidential year can turn into tight wins in the off-year.
Zoom out: The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee tends to encourage repeat candidates more than their GOP counterparts, with 10 Democratic challengers running for a second time in competitive seats in 2024.
Two of them – Rep. Adam Gray (D-Calif.) and Josh Riley (D-N.Y.) – ended up prevailing in their rematches.
Rep. Tom Souzi, who left his seat to run for governor in 2022, recaptured it in a special election in 2024 and then won a full term in November.
Republicans mocked the tactic, likening it to microwaving "crusty lasagna".
Between the lines: This year, both parties already have a handful of retread candidates looking for redemption.
Former Iowa state Rep. Christina Bohannan is challenging Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) for a third time after losing by 799 votes in 2024.
In Wisconsin, Rebecca Cooke wants to take another shot at Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.).
In California, Joe Kerr, a retired firefighter, plans to run against Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.) again.
Former Rep. Yadiro Caraveo is laying the groundwork to take back her Colorado seat from Rep. Gabe Evans (R-Colo.).
And former state Rep. Amish Shah and Marlene Galán-Woods are both running in the Democratic primary to face Rep. David Schweikert in Arizona. Shah lost in 2024 in the general election.
The other side: In Ohio, Kevin Coughlin is looking for a rematch against Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio).
And Derek Merrin is making a second run at Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio).
Former Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln wants to again challenge Rep. Josh Harder (D-Calif.) in the Central Valley.
Two Nevada Republicans — Marty O'Donnell and David Flippo — who didn't advance past the primary last cycle are also running again in NV-03 and NV-04.
The bottom line: Second-time candidates — and even third-time candidates — know how to dial for dollars, but they'll still face well-financed incumbents in November.
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