Zinke leads House candidates in fundraising

Former state Sen. Ryan Zinke of Whitefish is leading the way in funds raised among candidates running for Montana’s U.S. House seat.

The Republican announced last week he has raised $447,610 in the past two months. Zinke has not contributed any of his own money to the campaign, which has $349,320 cash in the bank.

The amount reflects the most raised by any open-seat at-large U.S. House candidate, in the first 67 days, in Montana history, the Zinke campaign notes.

Democratic House candidate John Lewis of Helena has raised nearly $400,000 though the end of 2013. He is unopposed in the Democratic primary so far.