– After just nine weeks of being a candidate for U.S. Congress, former Ambassador Ann Wagner reported raising more than a half-million dollars for her campaign.

The campaign will report having raised $523,130 on their first report to the Federal Election Committee, with over $506,000 still on hand. The campaign says more than 97 percent of her funds have come from Missouri, 90 percent of that from St. Louis, with no personal investment from the candidate.

“Our campaign is roaring out of the gate powered by the strength and energy of our grassroots supporters as we saw last week when hundreds came to our home for the campaign kickoff in a driving rainstorm,” said Wagner, R-Ballwin.  “It was really humbling to be joined by dear friends and supporters with whom I have worked alongside in so many conservative causes and campaigns.  My roots are in the grassroots, so while strong fundraising is critical to our success, the foundation of our campaign will be built on the grassroots movement that is supporting our campaign.”

Wagner, a veteran GOP operative, has not run for office before herself, but has operated large campaign operations. Formerly, she served on the Republican National Committee, directed the Missouri Republican Party, and most recently chaired Roy Blunt’s successful campaign for U.S. Senate.

Her opponent in the primary, Ed Martin, has not revealed his fundraising number for the past quarter. The deadline to report is Friday. Transferrable from his account from running for Senate, Martin finished the last quarter with $158,858.