Paul Ryan challenger Randy Bryce reports raising $1.2 million at the end of 2017

Randy Bryce, one of the Democrats hoping to take on House Speaker Paul Ryan, raised $1.2 million at the end of last year, his campaign said.

During that reporting period, which covers the fourth quarter of 2017, Democratic candidate Cathy Myers, a public school teacher and Janesville School Board member, raised $182,656, her campaign said.

Both are hoping to take on Ryan, a Janesville Republican, this fall.

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Bryce, a union ironworker and military veteran, was asked by Katy Tur on MSNBC in an interview Monday why he's raised so much money.

"People are seeing this wave. This resistance is very real," Bryce said. "People have had enough with where the president is taking us, and we're tired of not having a Congress that's acting as a check and balance to stand up to him."

Tur also noted that many of his contributions were coming from New York and California, asking whether Bryce was reaching Wisconsin voters.

"Well, we're getting the message out in the First Congressional District for sure," Bryce said. "We are reaching outside to New York and California, that's where a lot of money comes in from. But it's to help us get rid of somebody like Speaker Ryan, who is the number three Republican. And this country, it's going to the wrong place."

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Asked about his platform, Bryce talked about Medicare, increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour and job training programs.

When Tur asked if he was running on impeaching President Donald Trump, Bryce said, "I am in favor of that. I have said I'm in favor of that."

While Bryce has a clear fundraising edge over Myers, Ryan's totals may dwarf both of their campaign accounts.

During the third quarter that ended Sept. 30, Bryce raised $1.4 million and had $1 million cash on hand, while Myers raised $82,000 and had $20,000 cash on hand. By comparison, Ryan's campaign had $10 million cash on hand.

Ryan has not announced his totals yet for the end of 2017.