Joda Thongnopnua, the Democratic candidate for Tennessee’s 30th State House District, reported on Monday that he had raised more than $35,000 since announcing his candidacy for the open seat in late January.
Thongnopnua, in his first bid for public office, is poised to present a formidable challenge to Republican contenders for a seat being vacated by Rep. Marc Gravitt in House District 30. The two reports filed, from the period when Thongnopnua began exploring a bid for the seat through March 31, show him having taken in $34,554 in receipts and an additional $1,380 in in-kind contributions.
“I am so proud that this campaign is supported by a grassroots collection of residents and community leaders who believe that electing someone who will fight for working families in District 30 is worth investing in,” Thongnopnua noted. “Our results so far send a clear message that our vision for Tennessee and District 30 is resonating and we are more than a match for established politicians who simply want to preserve the status-quo.”
Thongnopnua’s first end-of-year supplemental report showed $8,300 in receipts and his quarterly filing reported an additional $26,254. This puts him within striking distance of his Republican opposition and sets records for Democratic fundraising figures in the district, out-raising the last two nominees’ fundraising totals combined several times over.
While Thongnopnua is unopposed in the Democratic primary, he is actively campaigning through the primary to talk to working families across Tennessee’s 30th State House District to hear and understand their concerns. In the weeks ahead, Thongnopnua will announce a series of round-table discussions on economic opportunity and will roll out several legislative priorities that will strengthen pathways into the middle class.
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Tennessee’s 30th State House District includes the East Lake, Missionary Ridge, East Ridge, Brainerd, East Brainerd, Concord, Apison, and Collegedale communities.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 6. For more information on the Joda for TN-30 campaign, visit votejoda.com.
