Democratic congressional candidate Mike Derrick raised $140,906 in the third quarter, his opening quarter of campaign fundraising.

Derrick, a retired Army colonel from Peru, is seeking the Democratic nomination in 2016 to challenge U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Willsboro, who raised $303,754 in the third quarter and has crossed the $1 million mark in fundraising for her re-election bid.

Stefanik’s fundraising this quarter was the least of her three quarters so far, but she remains flush with cash.

If Stefanik continues raising funds at the current pace, she would have nearly $2.9 million for her re-election campaign.

Derrick raised more in individual contributions than Stefanik in the quarter, according to campaign finance reports the two campaigns filed late Thursday with the Federal Election Commission.

Derrick raised $133,592 in individual contributions in the third quarter, 96.4 percent of his total receipts in the quarter.

Stefanik raised $110,126 in individual contributions in the third quarter, 36.2 percent of her total receipts in the quarter.

Derrick received contributions from individuals in 21 states in the third quarter.

Stefanik received contributions from individuals in nine states and Washington, D.C., in the third quarter.

Derrick received $7,060 from political action committees in the third quarter. Stefanik received $153,250.

Political action committees and national party organizations typically do not contribute until candidates demonstrate the ability to raise funds independently.

The $140,652 Derrick raised in the quarter was on par with the opening quarter a decade ago for Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand, who raised $120,000 in the third quarter of 2005, the equivalent of $146,628 in 2015 dollars, and went on to win the local congressional seat.

Derrick spent $32,152 on his campaign in the third quarter, and Stefanik spent $105,131.

Derrick had $108,499 on hand in his campaign fund, as of Sept. 30, and Stefanik had $802,496.

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(Editor’s note: Four daily newspapers in the North Country – the Enterprise, Post-Star of Glens Falls, Watertown Daily Times and Plattsburgh Press-Republican – are collaborating to better cover New York’s 21st Congressional District and its representative, Elise Stefanik.)