Republican incumbents, including Tea Party legislators, dominate the top ten for fundraising through the first six months of 2011 both in terms of total money raised and contributions from individuals, according to fundraising summaries released today by the Federal Elections Commission. Democratic leadership has struggled compared to their Republican counterparts.
Republicans account for eight of the top ten fundraisers. Republicans can boast about having seven of the top ten fundraisers in terms of money raised through individual contributions.
Unsurprisingly, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, leads the total fundraising catagory, and he has received more money through individual contributions.
Tea Party favorite Rep. Allen West, R-Fla., demonstrated his fundraising prowess and national appeal by taking in the third-largest amount of money in total campaign contributions, including the second-most money in contributions from individual contributors. This very strong showing might bolster calls for West to run for Senate, even though the congressman has said he will seek reelection to the House. At the very least, he’ll have war chest heading into a tough campaign.
The Young Guns of the House Republicans – Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., House Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., – rounded out the top five in terms of total money raised, and each made the top ten with respect to money given by individual contributors.
Democratic leadership did not match the success of their Republican counterparts. Democratic Minority Whip Steny Hoyer, who ranks second in Democratic party leadership, raised less than half the money that the Republican number 2, Cantor, brought in, although Hoyer did make the top ten. Hoyer raised approximately $400,000 less than the Republican Whip, McCarthy.
Hoyer did outraise his boss in the Democractic leaderhip, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Where Hoyer placed eighth in total fundraising among House members by bringing in roughly $1.2 million dollars, Pelosi came in 26th among House incumbents, raising only $718,856.
You can see the Top 50 in total receipts here:
You can see the Top 50 in individual contributions here: 11top50hseincind6mos
