In a surprising turn of events, the Democratic Party is outpacing the Republicans in the race for control of the House, with large donors propelling the fundraising efforts. This is a stark reversal from previous cycles where Republican super PACs have played a dominant role, often providing a lifeline to Republican candidates who struggled to match the fundraising prowess of their Democratic rivals. Now, it seems the tables have turned.
The Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF), the primary GOP group dedicated to securing the House, recently announced its highest quarterly total yet: a whopping $81.4 million from July to September. This impressive figure is even more notable given the loss of their top fundraiser, Kevin McCarthy, a year ago. However, the CLF’s record-breaking haul still fell short of its Democratic counterpart, the House Majority PAC (HMP). The HMP reported roughly $99 million in third-quarter earnings, $69 million of which was raised in September alone.
Both super PACs have raked in around $210 million this cycle, signaling a potential power shift in the political landscape. The Democrats’ fundraising success could be a cause for concern for Republicans who have traditionally relied on their biggest donors to stay competitive in key battlegrounds.
Key Points:
Democrats Outraising Republicans: For the first time in recent history, the Democrats are outperforming Republicans in fundraising for the battle for the House. In the third quarter alone, HMP raised around $99 million, compared to CLF’s $81.4 million.
Change in the Game: Republican candidates have traditionally relied on their super PACs, given their often limited personal campaign funds. However, the fundraising tables have turned, and Democratic candidates, who have consistently outpaced their Republican counterparts since 2018, are now backed by a super PAC that’s keeping pace with its Republican counterpart.
Implications for Campaigning: The shift in fundraising dynamics may have significant implications for campaigning strategies. Flush with cash, HMP is regularly making new rounds of reservations and has already reserved $52 million more than CLF in future TV and radio ad bookings through Election Day.
In the final stretch to the elections, the fundraising gap between the Democrats and Republicans could have significant implications. Over the past few years, Democrats have consistently outraised their Republican counterparts. In the last quarter alone, over 10 Democratic challengers reported raising more than $2 million.
For instance, Janelle Bynum, the Democrat challenging Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), reported raising $3.4 million in the third quarter. Laura Gillen, the Democrat challenging Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.), raised $2.4 million, and Derek Tran, the Democrat challenging Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.), raised over $2 million.
In the face of this Democratic fundraising surge, the CLF has played a crucial role in bridging the gap for Republican candidates. However, the current financial edge of the Democrats may alter the campaign dynamics in the lead-up to the elections. The fundraising superiority of the Democrats, backed by their super PAC, could potentially tilt the scales in their favor, reshaping the political landscape of the House. While the Republicans can still close the gap, the fundraising prowess of the Democrats has undeniably given them a significant head start in the race for control of the House.
