Freshman Rep. Andy Kim (D-Marlton) has raised over $550,00 for the first quarter of 2019, an impressive fundraising haul as he prepares to seek re-election to a second term in a district that has already been targeted by national Republicans.

Kim has accumulated his warchest – more than $500,000 cash-on-hand — without taking any corporate PAC money.

“I’m not here because I was handpicked by special interest groups or corporate PACs. I’m here because the people our district were tired of business as usual and wanted a voice in Congress that would fight for them,” Kim said. “I want to thank the thousands who have shown such incredible support over the past three months. Together, we can continue to build a Congress that is truly of, by and for the people.”

Over recent weeks, Kim used social media and sent out dozens of fundraising e-mails, including pitches from actress Piper Perabo and former Obama White House chief of staff Denis McDonough.

A former Obama White House staffer, Kim ousted two-term Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-Toms River) in 2018 by 3,973 votes (50%-49%) in what was the closest House race in the state.

As a first-time candidate in the 2018 mid-term elections, Kim raised $6,230,916 – significantly more than MacArthur, who self-funded his first race, who brought in $4,778,480.

MacArthur raised $190,110 during the first three months of his first term in Congress in 2015. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff), known as the Human Fundraising Machine, raised $798,748 during his first quarter as a Congressman in 2017.

Republicans think they can beat Kim next year for a seat that hasn’t re-elected a Democratic congressman since Nathan Stratton won a second term in 1852. While GOP challengers have already begun exploring House race in the 2nd, 5th and 7th districts, it appears that recruiting a challenger for Kim is on hold until after the federal income tax evasion trial of Ocean County GOP chairman George Gilmore.

Since Kim took office on January 3, he has held monthly town hall meetings and has sponsored legislation to enhance health care and create greater access to voter registration. He is part of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Frontline program and was part of the first wave of endorsements of End Citizens United PAC.

“It humbling to have the opportunity to represent my home district in Congress, and I’m working every day to make sure I can be the honest, accessible voice the people of New Jersey deserve,” said Kim.