The committee responsible for re-electing the Senate Republican majority in 2016 raised more money than its Democratic counterpart last month on its way to its best off-year May since 2009.
The NRSC, formerly National Republican Senatorial Committee, raked in $4.5 million in May, compared to $3.6 million for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. The Republicans’ Senate campaign committee finished the month with $6.3 million in cash on hand and just $2 million in debt left over from last year’s midterm elections. However, the DSCC still has more cash in the bank than the NRSC, closing May with $7.8 million in available funds, although its operational debt is still high at $11.4 million.
In a prepared statement, DSCC executive director Tom Lopach expressed confidence that Senate Democrats were positioning themselves to win back the chamber in the 2016 elections.
“We are thankful for a robust fundraising total last month as we continue working to win the majority and hold the Republican Senate accountable for refusing to prioritize the interests of middle class families. I’m grateful for our generous supporters who along with our outstanding recruits, strong fundraising and winning message will power us to a win next November,” he said.
The map of Senate seats that are up for election next year is Democrat-friendly in the same way the 2014 map favored the Republicans. Democrats need to flip a net of five seats to win back the majority they lost last year. The GOP is defending seats in states that lean Democratic in presidential elections, including Illinois, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin; and seats in swing states like Florida, Ohio and New Hampshire.
Despite the DSCC outraising the NRSC three out of five months and by $1.6 million so far this year, the NRSC likes its position. The Republican committee raised more money in May than it did in either 2013 ($3.6 million) or 2011 ($3.1 million) and its debt is one quarter of the $8 million it was carrying two years ago.
