John James, the likely Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, started the new year by announcing he’s gathered more donations than his incumbent Democratic opponent for the second consecutive fundraising quarter.

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, is one of two senators up for reelection in a state won by President Donald Trump, making him a top target for Republicans seeking to take control of Congress in 2020. James’ campaign, which did not release how much cash-on-hand it has to start the year, appears to be chipping into Peters’ financial advantage by posting a record-breaking fundraising haul.

Peters’ campaign raised $2.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, his largest haul of the cycle so far. The campaign also boasted $8 million in cash-on-hand, setting a Michigan Senate record for the end of an off-year.

Less than half an hour after Peters posted his fourth-quarter numbers, James’ campaign celebrated their own cash pile. James’ campaign said it picked up $3.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, out-raising Peters by $1 million.

Peters raised $9.3 million since the beginning of 2019, while James raised nearly $8 million last year, the two campaigns said.

James campaign spokesperson Abby Walls said the numbers demonstrate growing enthusiasm for the Farmington Hills businessman and U.S. Army veteran. James already scored endorsements from the Michigan Republican Party and Vice President Mike Pence.

Michigan Republican Party Chairwoman said James “pummels” his likely opponent in fundraising.

“Gary Peters has always tried to lead from behind, and today’s announcement finds him once again in the back of the pack," Cox said. “From polling to fundraising, Gary Peters is playing catch-up with John James."

Peters’ campaign touted strong grassroots support for his re-election effort. Ninety-three percent of his donations were below $100, and 86% were below $50.

“I’m so thankful for the overwhelming support my campaign has received from folks across the state of Michigan,” Peters said in a statement. “As this campaign continues to break records, it’s clear that Michiganders still want effective leaders who get things done."

However, fundraising emails the Peters campaign sent to supporters in 2019 communicated a sense of urgency as the Trump campaign and top Republicans back James’ candidacy.

James spent most of 2019 attending GOP fundraisers and staying out of the media spotlight. He already has strong support in the Republican Party, earning an early endorsement from the Michigan Republican State Committee and taking the stage at rallies held by Pence and Trump in the state last year.

Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Alex Japko said the contrast between Peters and James’ activities in 2019 is stark.

“James has spent his entire campaign hiding from Michigan votes to travel the country and rub elbows with Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell and GOP mega-donors,” Japko said in a statement. “Meanwhile, Gary Peters has delivered results for the people of Michigan by increasing funding for the Great Lakes and working to lower the cost of prescription drugs.”

It’s yet to be seen whether James’ ties to Trump will help or hurt in a state where polling finds Trump generally unpopular, though Michigan narrowly backed the president in 2016. Experts warn James’ second Senate campaign could sink his political career if it is unsuccessful.

James has billed himself so far as an independently-minded “compassionate conservative” who isn’t afraid to buck the party if needed. However, he declined to comment after Trump attacked Michigan congresswomen or when Trump suggested the late-John Dingell may be in hell at a rally James spoke at in December.

Peters is no stranger to campaigning during tough election years. The Democrat was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014, when Republicans won big across the state.

Peters earned 54.6% of the vote that year, collecting nearly 1.7 million votes to win by 13 percentage points. James picked up 1.9 million votes during his first Senate bid in 2018, losing to U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, by 6.5 percentage points.

Either those numbers may not mean much in 2020 with a presidential race on the ballot.

A 2004 graduate of West Point, James announced his candidacy during an appearance on “Fox & Friends” on the 75th anniversary of the D-Day operation in WWII. James served in the U.S. Army for eight years and led platoons of Apache helicopters during the Iraq War before returning to Michigan.

James is president of the family business, James Group International. The supply-chain management company was founded by his father, also named John.

“People are tired of the same do-nothing leadership in Congress, year after year," Walls said. "John’s biography proves that he’s the man to get the job done for Michigan. Voters are not wasting any time in backing John’s campaign.”

Mackinac Island historic preservationist Bob Carr is also pursuing his second bid for U.S. Senate in Michigan. He ran against James in 2018 but dropped out before the Republican primary.

Peters previously served in Congress representing Michigan’s 9th House District, which includes areas of Oakland and Macomb counties, and the 14th District, which covers portions of Wayne and Oakland counties. He also served as a member of the state Senate from 1995 to 2002 and was commissioner of the Michigan Lottery from 2003 to 2007.

Before taking office, Peters served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1993 to 2000. He rejoined the Navy Reserve after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and continued to serve until 2005.

Peters serves on the Armed Services Committee; Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee; Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; and the Joint Economic Committee.

Peters has presented himself as an effective legislator who was able to secure key provisions to bills signed this year, including measures to increase Great Lakes funding and phase out the military’s use of PFAS.

Read more on MLive:

John James says his 2020 Senate run is about Michigan, not Trump

GOP senate challenger John James closing fundraising gap with incumbent Democrat

Democratic presidential candidates boost fundraising for Michigan Sen. Gary Peters

John James announces 2020 campaign for U.S. Senate

John James, Lee Chatfield tell Trump voters to 'send a message’ in 2020