In the race to replace retiring Rep. Jim McCrery (R), the national Republican Party has lined up firmly behind former Bossier Chamber of Commerce President Jeff Thompson (R). But wealthy trucking company executive Chris Gorman won’t be a pushover in the September GOP primary.

Gorman, who went up with television ads in April, will report $350,000 in cash on hand at the end of the second quarter, according to a campaign release Monday. Gorman raised more than $700,000 through June 30. (Although by March 31 he had already loaned his campaign more than $250,000.)

Meanwhile, Thompson raised $326,000 since joining the race in April, according to a campaign spokesman on Monday. Thompson had just over $200,000 in cash on hand at the end of June.

Also running for the GOP nomination is physician and Navy veteran John Fleming.

The winner of the Republican primary appears likely to face Democrat Paul Carmouche, a well-known local prosecutor, in November. Despite drawing several lesser-known primary challengers, Carmouche has the unabashed backing of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which has already added him to its “Red to Blue” fundraising and infrastructure program.