Photo by @mjb.

Being an incumbent is certainly sweet, especially when it comes to fundraising.

According to campaign finance reports made public yesterday, sitting members of the D.C. Council who are running for re-election next year are leading their opponents in money raised, putting them at an advantage going into the April 3 primary and showing that yes, incumbency certainly has its benefits.

Yesterday, we reported that Councilmember Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), currently running unopposed, pulled in $90,000 from August through October, bringing his total raised to over $230,000. For her part, Councilmember Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4) led a large field of challengers by raising $63,000 during the period, bringing her total raised up to $148,000. After a weak showing earlier this summer, Councilmember Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) seems to have hit the phones hard, picking up $42,000.

The only incumbent to be out-raised this time around was Councilmember Michael A. Brown (I-At Large), who only collected $3,700, significantly less than challenger David Grosso, who took in close to $29,000. Brown isn’t at a loss, though — he’s still sitting on a $52,000 war chest.

Another incumbent, Councilmember Vincent Orange (D-At Large), still hasn’t launched his re-election campaign, nor has anyone directly said they’d be running against him. Councilmember Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) also hasn’t filed for re-election, though challenger Darrell Gaston said yesterday that he had raised $13,000 in his attempt to unseat the mayor-for-life.

Some challengers posted respectable takes over the past three months, though. Kevin Chavous, Jr., who is taking on Alexander, raised almost $21,000, while Bowser challenger Max Skolnik took in $26,000. Ward 7 candidate Bill Bennett collected $6,500. (Meanwhile, Ron Moten, who is also in the running to replace Alexander, only managed $940.)

The next reports are due December 10, halfway through the month-and-a-half-long period during which candidates circulate petitions to get themselves on the ballot.