WASHINGTON -- Dana Balter raised three times more money than Rep. John Katko at the start of October, giving the Syracuse Democrat a spending advantage heading into the finals days of the 24th Congressional District election, new records show.

Balter had $621,383 in cash left in her campaign account as of Oct. 17, compared to Katko who had $522,610, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Balter continued to see a surge in donations in the first two weeks of the month, taking in $350,450 in contributions, while Katko, R-Camillus, raised $122,474, the records show.

It's unusual for challengers to raise more money than incumbent candidates for Congress, but Democrats who are trying to unseat Republicans this year have capitalized on enthusiasm within their party to accomplish that feat in districts across the nation.

Balter raised more than $1.5 million in the third quarter ending Sept. 30, a record for a Syracuse area congressional seat.

Balter disclosed raising $521,866 in the last quarter through ActBlue, an online fundraising tool used by Democrats to reach small-dollar donors across the nation.

In the new report, Balter disclosed raising $272,357 through ActBlue, with many of the itemized donations coming from people who live outside Central New York.

The FEC reports cover the period through Oct. 17. After that deadline, Katko reported raising about $93,000, most of it taken in during a $1,000-per-person fundraiser with House Speaker Paul Ryan last week in Syracuse.

All told, Katko raised about $2.5 million in donations since the start of his campaign through Oct. 17. Balter has raised about $2.3 million during the same period.

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