Between the end of June and the end of September, the campaign of U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney more than doubled fundraising totals compared to Republican challenger Mike France of Ledyard.

Courtney, a Vernon Democrat seeking a ninth consecutive term in Connecticut's 2nd Congressional District, which encompasses nearly the entire eastern half of the state, had tripled France’s fundraising in the previous two quarters. In this most recent period, Courtney raised about $478,000, while France, who lives in Gales Ferry and serves as a member of the state House of Representatives, raised $223,580, according to campaign finance records.

Courtney’s campaign began the third quarter — July 1-Sept. 30 — with more than $1.5 million cash on hand. The campaign spent more than $830,000 for the quarter, and ended with $1,172,217 cash on hand. The campaign spent $180,000 in the second quarter.

According to Courtney’s campaign, it’s the Congressman’s highest quarter three fundraising mark since 2006, and people from 63 of the district’s 64 towns donated.

“Our fundraising quarter shows that people in the Second District have strong faith that Joe Courtney will continue to get the job done for them,” Courtney campaign manager Abe Silk said in a statement. “Joe is grateful for the support, which he never takes for granted, and will continue to work hard every day for what he believes is the best district in America.”

France campaign spokesman Alex Avetoom wrote in a statement, “We’ve had an outpouring of support from individual, small dollar donors, and as much as it is hard to match Joe Courtney, a 16-year incumbent with that much special interest cash, we think on the balance that Courtney will need every one of those dollars to convince residents of Connecticut that his policies are working out for them.”

An indication of how tight the race is came this week when RealClearPolitics changed its status on the district from “Leans Dem” to “Toss-Up.”

France’s campaign began the third quarter with $139,044. The campaign spent $193,243 this most recent quarter, and ended with $169,380 cash on hand. In the second quarter, the campaign spent about $116,000.

In the third quarter, Courtney’s campaign took in $226,500 from PACs and $186,195 from individuals, while France’s campaign received roughly $90,000 from PACs and almost $120,000 from individuals.

Of France’s money, $250,265 comes from donations $200 and under, while $202,052 of Courtney’s fundraising comes from donations of that size. Of donations between $200-$499.99, France received $45,853, and Courtney $56,745. Of donations between $500-$999.99, France received $57,955 and Courtney $55,403. Of donations between $1,000 and $1,999.99, Courtney received $100,559 and France $56,411. And of contributions $2,000 or more, Courtney received $218,950 and France $119,900.

Courtney’s campaign spent funds on travel, event expenses, software, printing, payroll, mailing, polling, fundraising consulting and website design, among other purchases. The bulk of the money, though, went to Screen Media Strategies for several media time buys — more than $630,000.

France’s campaign spent money on similar items, as well as more than $40,000 to Para Bellum Public Affairs for campaign consulting, about $30,000 to Capital Campaigns for fundraising consulting, about $40,000 on database services and direct mail, and $17,400 to American Viewpoint for campaign consulting.

France received his largest donations — $2,000 or more — from a wide variety of conservative PACs, including Investing in a Strong and Secure America, Freedom’s Defense Fund, American Conservative Union, Patriots in Action, the National Republican Congressional Committee and other groups. France also received a $2,000 contribution from the last person to hold the 2nd Congressional District seat before Courtney, Republican Rob Simmons, as well as $2,000 from Republican Steve Scalise, a U.S. rep. from Louisiana, and $2,900 from Republican state rep. and candidate for state treasurer Harry Arora.

Significant donors to Courtney’s campaign include Raytheon, a defense contractor, which sent $2,500 in the third quarter and has sent $8,500 to the campaign on the year. Courtney received large donations from Native American tribes, including $2,900 from Mashantucket Pequot and $5,800 on the year. Courtney also received support from unions, trade groups, Planned Parenthood and the American Defense and Military PAC.

Green Party candidate Kevin Blacker is not fundraising or accepting donations in this race.

S.spinella@theday.com