Updates 5:15 p.m.: Revised to include comments from campaigns.

Challenger Colin Allred raised $1 million more than incumbent U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions during the most recent reporting period, signaling that the race for the Dallas-area 32nd Congressional District is one of the most competitive bellwether districts in the country.

According to his campaign, Allred, a former NFL player turned Democratic candidate for Congress, raised more than $2.3 million for the period of July 1 to Sept. 30. He spent $1.3 million and had $1.9 million in the bank at the start of October.

Sessions, who has represented the district since 2003, hauled in $1.3 million for the period. He spent over $533,000 and had $2.6 million in his campaign fund.

Overall, Sessions has raised $4 million for the race, Allred just over $3 million.

"Colin's campaign puts people in North Texas first, not special interests. Colin has refused to take contributions from corporate PACs, unlike Congressman Sessions, who has taken over $10 million from corporate PACs while he's been in Washington," Allred's campaign manager, Paige Hutchinson, said in a prepared statement. "That's why Congressman Sessions has used his decades in Washington to do special interest's bidding and Colin will be able to bring fresh ideas to fix a broken system."

A Sessions campaign spokesperson countered saying Allred is being backed by supporters of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

"Coastal liberal elites from California and Massachusetts are funneling money into North Texas because they want Nancy Pelosi to be speaker of the House," Sessions chief of staff Caroline Boothe said in a prepared statement, though Allred's report has yet to be filed with the Federal Election Commission. "Our fundraising numbers show that we have strong support because Pete has a proven record of results that have made our communities safer, stronger and more prosperous."

The contest, which has been joined by outside groups backing both candidates, is expected to be one of the most costly House races in the county.

Sessions, 63, is chairman of the House Rules Committee and one of the most powerful members of Congress. But Allred, particularly in recent months, has stepped up his fundraising and has a large grassroots organization to match.

Sessions has had help. Earlier this month Vice President Mike Pence held a Dallas campaign rally for Sessions, and he's been endorsed by President Donald Trump. On Monday Sessions got the support of actor Chuck Norris.

Allred, a 35-year-old Dallas lawyer, is backed by national Democrats, including former President Barack Obama.

Sessions is in his toughest race since 2004, when he steamed past former Rep. Martin Frost for re-election. Since then demographic changes in the district have made it possible for a Democrat to mount a serious campaign. In 2016 Hillary Clinton beat Trump in the district by 2 percentage points, though Sessions and every other Republican on the ballot won easily.

Early voting begins Oct. 22, and Election Day is November 6.

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