Photo: Daniel MeigsNashville attorney James Mackler raised more than $268,000 in his first quarter of fundraising.

He is so far the only Democrat in the race to succeed retiring Republican U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander.

Mackler’s contributions, dating from his entrance in the race in January until the end of March, come from attorneys, music industry officials and others — including singer Emmylou Harris, who gave $2,000 to Mackler in March.

Harris also endorsed Mackler’s previous campaign for U.S. Senate and has appeared at fundraisers for his federal fundraising group, Believe in Service.

Elected officials are also backing Mackler. John Cooper, the at-large Metro Council member and mayoral candidate, gave to Mackler, as did his brother Jim’s congressional campaign account. Fellow Council members Bob Mendes and Mina Johnson were also on the donor list, as were Democratic state representatives Bob Freeman of Nashville and Gloria Johnson of Knoxville.

Mackler spent more than $180,000 during the quarter and still has more than $92,000 on hand as a handful of candidates, including former Republican Gov. Bill Haslam, consider getting in the race.

The 2018 Senate campaign, which Mackler entered before ultimately bowing out and supporting former Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen, cost nearly $100 million, including outside expenditures. Combined, Bredesen and Republican nominee Marsha Blackburn, the ultimate winner, spent more than $35 million.

See Mackler's full fundraising report here.