Much has changed in the race for the GOP nomination in PA-8 since 2016 dawned.

What once looked like State Rep. Scott Petri’s race to lose has now become dominated by Brian Fitzpatrick, younger brother of the incumbent Congressman.

Since Petri dropped out, Fitzpatrick has become the undisputed front-runner. In fact, one of his opponent’s has yet to file an FEC report while the other has so few contributors you can count them on two hands.

As a result, we’ll just be looking at Fitzpatrick’s Q1 report, which runs from January 1st to April 6th. Click here if you’d like to read our piece on the Democratic primary between Shaughnessy Naughton and Steve Santarsiero.

Top-Line Numbers

The first-time candidate raised $452,203.48 in his inaugural effort. He spent just $38,826.42, leaving him with a cash on hand total of $413,377.06.

Just a few notes before we dive into the report. The campaign had to refund $200 worth of contributions. They also have $18,839.84 in outstanding debts to Samsar Consulting, LN Consulting and the Washington Crossing Inn.

Contributions

Fitzpatrick received $53,020 in PAC money this cycle.

The biggest contributors were Kevin McCarthy’s Majority Committee PAC, CULAC, the American Society of Anesthesiologists PAC and NECAPAC who each gave $5,000. Meanwhile, the Financial Businesspersons Association PAC and WAKEPAC also contributed $3,000 in addition to the $2,700 thrown in by Congressman Thompson’s Greater Tomorrow PAC.

KPMG Partners/Principals & Employees PAC and COLEPAC chipped in $2,500. $2,000 came from PETEPAC and BLAINEPAC as well as $1,500 from Congressman Costello’s RACPAC.

Fitzpatrick got $1,000 checks each from First in Freedom PAC, Clark Hill PAC, American Security PAC, MIMI PAC, Relight America PAC, SUSAN PAC and Upper Hand Fund.

The new-comer also received help from a number of PA elected officials including: Tom Panzer ($370), Tommy Tomlinson ($240), Joe DiGirolamo ($560), Frank Ferry ($1,000), Gene DiGirolamo ($1,000), Charlie Dent ($1,000), Brett Guthrie ($1,000) and Luke Messer ($1,000).

Expenditures

Most of the money spent by campaigns usually goes to staff and routine bills for office supplies. We like to take a look, however, at the where the rest of the cash goes.

For instance, $2,640 was spent on Samsar Consulting and another $1,000 on LN Consulting.

As for printing, $2,019 and $1,665 went to Page Printing and Associated Printing & Graphics respectively.

Finally, $1,500 went towards website development from NetStride and $795 to Video Gold Productions.