Democrat Lauren Baer out-fundraised Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Mast in latest quarter

Ali Schmitz | Treasure Coast Newspapers

Show Caption Hide Caption TCPalm's Editorial Board talks to District 18 candidates Brian Mast and Lauren Baer Ahead of the Nov. 6 election, members of TCPalm's Editorial Board talked to District 18 candidates Rep. Brian Mast and Lauren Baer on Oct. 1, 2018 in Stuart.

The Democrat seeking to oust the Treasure Coast's Republican congressman out-fundraised him during the third quarter, thanks to donations from across the country.

Watch: Baer, Mast debate on Oct. 15

Lauren Baer raised $1.7 million between July 19 and Sept. 30, which is $716,000 more than the $984,000 collected by U.S. Rep. Brian Mast of Palm City.

Mast still has more cash on hand, about $1.4 million compared to Baer's nearly $775,000.

More: Brian Mast, Lauren Baer disagree in Florida's 18th congressional district race

Election 2018: Important dates for voters in Martin County, St. Lucie County, Indian River County Key information for Treasure Coast residents voting in the Nov. 6 general election. GINNY BEAGAN/TCPALM

Baer's donations

Nearly $937,000 of Baer's money came from donors using ActBlue,the Democratic fund-raising platform. Nearly $136,000 came from donors contributing through Swing Left, a political organization working to flip control of the U.S. House.

Some of Baer's high-profile donors during the quarter include:

$2,700: Tom Steyer, a liberal mega-donor pushing to impeach Donald Trump

$2,700: Hollywood producer Jeffrey Katzenberg

$1,000: Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Baer is a consultant for her Albright Stonebridge global business strategy firm

$628.60 (over multiple donations): Actress Kyra Sedgwick

$300 ($3,450 to date): Former talk show host Rosie O'Donnell

$250: Pod Save America host and former Obama administration speechwriter Tommy Vietor. Baer was a foreign policy adviser in the Obama administration

Baer also received a total of $47,454 from 27 PACs and campaign accounts associated with current and former Democratic members of Congress.

Mast's donations

Mast's most generous donor was Protect the House, a fundraising committee launched by Vice President Mike Pence and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

The committee gave him $96,000 — nearly 10 percent of the quarter's donations.

Some of Mast's other high-profile donors for the quarter include:

$2,000: President Donald Trump's campaign

$5,000: Supporting Electing American Leaders, a PAC formerly associated with Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke

$10,000: With Honor, a new PAC that supports veterans running for office

Mast also received a total of $46,700 from 22 PACs and campaign accounts associated with current and former Republican members of Congress.

District 18

Florida's 18th congressional district — representing all of Martin and St. Lucie counties and northern Palm Beach — is one of several closely watched U.S. swing districts.

More: Brian Mast, Lauren Baer get national attention

Nonpartisan political analysts — including Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball and Inside Elections — predict Mast will win the race, but faces a tough opponent.

Baer hopes to overcome in a year where political analysts expect a "blue wave" of anti-Trump sentiment and strong national support for women candidates.

More: Everything you need to know about the Nov.6 elections

An internal poll she released Oct. 3 shows her closing the gap, with Mast leading by three points instead of the previous six.

Internal polls tend to be favorable for the candidate paying for them, but similar results were reported in a poll released late last month by Protect Our Care, a progressive health care group. Baer's made health care her primary campaign focus.