Editor's note: This story was updated on Nov. 5 to correct the date of a filed campaign finance report.
Lancaster County Republicans have thrown their financial weight behind incumbent state Rep. Brett Miller this year as he faces a near-equally funded challenger in labor administrator Brad Chambers, a Democrat.
Every GOP state lawmaker from the county has given Miller’s campaign at least $1,000, according to his latest Department of State campaign finance reports. Those dollars helped push Miller, of East Hempfield, to more than $136,000 raised between May 14 and Oct. 21.
Chambers, of Columbia, has also proven to be an effective fundraiser. In that same period, he raised about $120,000.
The stakes for Miller this year might best be described by his predecessor, state Sen. Ryan Aument. Onstage at the October fundraiser of the Republican Committee of Lancaster County, Aument urged some 500 attendees to help Miller in his “fight” for the 41st District.
“He needs your help,” Aument said. That same day, Oct. 10, Aument’s political action committee reportedly gave Miller’s campaign $5,000.
The district includes East and West Hempfield townships, Columbia and Mountville boroughs and a portion of northeast Manor Township.
Though Republicans hold a 46% plurality of registered voters there, Chambers is reaching for the 19% of independent voters and any GOP voters disenchanted with their party. Democrats comprise 35% of registered voters but gained ground in several local elections last year.
READ: Early voters in Lancaster County frustrated by long wait times, grateful for election staff
Party support
A fundraising committee for House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler, of Drumore Township, gave Miller $15,000 between August and early October.
Among Cutler’s duties as caucus leader is raising funds for vulnerable Republicans. With House Democrats holding a slim 102-101 majority, defending Miller’s seat is essential to the GOP’s hopes of controlling the chamber’s legislative calendar in the 2025 and 2026 sessions.
Miller’s largest individual donation came from U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker. He gave Miller $20,000 on Sept. 12, as previously reported by LNP | LancasterOnline.
He also received contributions from multiple political action committees representing various statewide industries and from some big-ticket Lancaster County Republican donors, including David Hollinger ($2,500 on May 31) and Thomas Ponessa ($1,000 on June 4).
Miller has saved the majority of his funds. As of Oct. 21, he reported having almost $150,000 banked to fuel his campaign in the final stretch to Nov. 5.
He did spend about $43,000, of which $31,400 was sent to the House Republican Campaign Committee, responsible for promoting GOP state House candidates. Miller reported that the committee spent about $937 on his behalf for postcards and postage.
READ: Republican majority looms over Smucker’s campaign against political newcomer
Outspending Miller
Chambers spent about $97,000 — more than twice the amount Miller spent — in this campaign fundraising cycle. He spent more than $25,000 on staffing and consultation fees, and more than $40,000 on campaign mailers and literature.
Chambers has built up a network of supporters who have on multiple occasions given him a small donation of between $50 and $250, according to his recent reports. He obtained more than $33,000 from that level of contribution.
But he’s also received more than $46,000 from political action committees in individual donations over $250.
Some came from state Democratic Party leaders, including House Speaker Joanna McClinton ($1,000 on Oct. 4) and House Majority Leader Matt Bradford ($5,000 on Oct. 8). Lancaster city state Reps. Izzy Smith-Wade-El and Mike Sturla gave Chambers $750 and $500, respectively, though Sturla’s was a personal donation not through his fundraising committee.
Chambers also received $7,000 from the Lancaster County Democratic Committee and $11,000 from the pro-Democratic Party group Change PA.
Several political action committees have spent thousands on Chambers’ behalf. The Progressive Turnout Project Victory Fund and PA Stands Up State PAC spent more than $6,400 combined on helping staff Chambers’ campaign. Others, like the the D.C.-based Run For Something, Planned Parenthood of PA PAC and Lead Locally PAC of California, spent more than $7,600 on campaign calls and other canvassing efforts.
Last week, Chambers’ campaign posted on Facebook that he has knocked on more than 7,000 doors and his team has knocked on more than 38,500.
As of Oct. 21, Chambers had about $55,000 available until Election Day.
