Third quarter fundraising numbers are in and Sam Bennett’s — in the eyes of Muhlenberg College professor Christopher Borick — don’t “inspire confidence.”

Bennett raised about $28,000 during the quarter that ended Sept. 30 and had $33,000 (I updated these numbers at 5:50) in cash at the end of the month, according to campaign consultant Walter Ludwig. The official tally should soon be available on the Federal Election Commission Web site.

Bennett is running for the 15th congressional district seat held by Republican Charlie Dent, who raised $158,000 in the quarter and has $459,000 in the bank.

Bennett’s campaign acknowledged the third quarter tally is disappointing, but said it spent money late in September to buy fundraising databases and hire a new finance director, Vince Rongione, who worked on Rep. Chris Carney’s campaign last year.