Can Democrats flip this Florida congressional seat? Fundraising suggests…perhaps?

With the help of a significant infusion of her own money, Democrat Kristen Carlson has jumped into the lead in fundraising among all candidates of both parties in the race to replace U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross in the Congressional District 15 seat.

Carlson raised a total of $249,772, including $75,614 in a loan and contributions from herself, since filing in the race in May, according to campaign finance reports for the second quarter of this year. That includes her entire time in the race.

Her competitor in the Democratic primary, Andrew Learned of Valrico, who's been in the race for more than a year, has raised more during that time — $223,618 since he filed in June 2017, including $2,000 of his own money. But looking only at the second quarter, since Carlson filed, she outpaced Learned's $100,622.

The top fundraising Republican in the race, state Rep. Ross Spano of Dover, also boosted his total with some of his own cash, a $45,000 loan, for total receipts of $157,068.

His nearest GOP competitor, former state Rep. Neil Combee of Polk City, brought in $128,515, not including any money of his own.

Spano, Combee and Carlson all entered the race after Ross's announcement, along with Republicans Sean Harper and Ed Shoemaker of Lakeland and Danny Kushmer of Brandon.

Ross's leaving the seat open increased interest in the race by Democrats, who think it may give them a chance to flip the GOP-leaning seat, long held by Republicans.

Carlson, a lawyer who lives in Lakeland and works in Tampa, is getting a fundraising boost from Emily's List, a powerful national fundraising organization that backs her.

Strong fundraising by a candidate tends to attract attention and support from potential national-level backers including political parties and interest groups., who want to put their money behind winners.