MADISON - U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman said Monday he’s worried about his re-election prospects.

“I am very apprehensive about the future. Right now it’s kind of the calm before the storm. The fundraising is not going as well as I’d like,” the Glenbeulah Republican told WISN-AM (1130) host Jay Weber.

He added: “When you talk nationwide about the Republicans losing the House next time, this is one of the seats that’s going to be in play.”

It is rare for politicians to talk so candidly about fundraising struggles and their risks at the ballot box, especially when they hold a seat that is viewed as solidly being in their party’s hands.

Grothman said his opponent, Democrat Dan Kohl, has paid staff and is “far ahead” of him in running his campaign.

“Well, we’re not raising as much money as we should,” Grothman said. “I’m getting around the district. I’m getting a good response, but a lot of people don’t realize this is the toughest race of my political career. People can say I’m popular right now, but when you turn on the TV and every 10 minutes there’s an ad saying, ‘Glenn Grothman doesn’t like women, Glenn Grothman doesn’t like children, Glenn Grothman doesn’t like whatever, whatever, whatever,’ it’s going to become a very difficult race very quickly.”

In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel later in the day, Grothman said he was a hard worker and expected to win re-election. He said he faces a tougher run this year because Kohl, who is the nephew of former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl, comes from a wealthy family and can tap into donations from rich donors.

"He knows rich guys from New York or Miami or Los Angeles that I don't know," he said. "Obviously, it's tough running against a guy from such a wealthy family."

Grothman had $247,000 on hand as of the end of June, according to his most recent filing with the Federal Election Commission. Grothman's campaign said that figure had grown to about $325,000 by the end of September.

Kohl had $245,000 in the bank at the end of June, according to his report. By the end of September, he had more than $390,000 on hand, according to his campaign manager, Rick Coelho.

Next year's election "is the best opportunity to hold (Grothman) accountable for his lockstep partisanship and inability to get anything done in Washington," Coelho said in a statement. "Dan Kohl will work to bring people together to solve problems."

Grothman was first elected to Congress in 2014 after serving for 21 years in the state Legislature. He represents the 6th Congressional District in east-central Wisconsin that includes all or parts of Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Fond du Lac, Dodge, Winnebago, Columbia, Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara counties.