Former Sen. Coats's first quarter fundraising comes up short

Former Sen. Dan Coats's (R-Ind.) first quarter fundraising report won't do much to close the door on his upcoming primary.

Coats's campaign announced Thursday that it raised $379,000 in the first quarter. The total includes the time between when Coats announced, in early February, and March 31. But even considering the abbreviated period Coats had, his totals are unlikely to please Republicans in Washington.

There are no totals yet from former Rep. John Hostettler (R-Ind.) or state Sen. Marlin Stutzman (R), but Coats's total is markedly low for a big-name candidate in his initial fundraising quarter. The three will do battle in a May 4 primary.

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-Ind.), the likely Democratic nominee, raised $625,000 in the first quarter.