Democrats are outraising their GOP counterparts in key races for control of the evenly divided Senate, a rare silver lining heading into the midterm elections as the underdogs.
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The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee fundraising apparatus eclipsed its GOP counterpart during the second quarter, finishing June with nearly $25 million more cash in its war chest than the National Republican Senatorial Committee, ABC reported.
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“The DSCC’s record breaking fundraising continues to be powered by strong, energized grassroots supporters who recognize the stakes of this election — and are committed to protecting and expanding our Democratic Senate Majority that is fighting to address working families’ most pressing priorities,” DSCC Executive Director Christie Roberts said in a statement, per the outlet.
From April to June, the DSCC hauled in $33.5 million worth of donations, finishing off June with over $53.5 million on hand and no debt, per the outlet. During the same time frame, the NRSC raised $25.6 million and ended June with $28.5 million cash on hand, the outlet reported. Like the DSCC, the NRSC also had no debt.
“The NRSC has broken fundraising records and are spending money early to define the Democrats. Meanwhile, Democrats are blowing money defending weak incumbents in states that Joe Biden won by double digits. No amount of money can save Democrats from themselves,” an NRSC spokesperson said, per the outlet.
Republicans have been widely expected to surf a red wave in the midterm elections against the backdrop of historical tailwinds, sagging poll numbers for President Joe Biden, roaring inflation, stubborn gas prices, surging crime, a more favorable apportionment outlook than expected, and other setbacks dogging Democrats.
But GOP prospects for winning back the upper chamber are far more tenuous than the House. Primaries in competitive states, such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Georgia, have produced candidates who prompted concerns from some GOP insiders. Additionally, the party is defending a tough seat in Wisconsin and faces a fraught primary in Arizona, a key seat they hoped to win back.
Adding to those hurdles for Republicans, the Democrats are hoping the recent Supreme Court decision overturning precedents first established in Roe v. Wade will energize their base of voters.
As the chamber of Congress responsible for approving Supreme Court nominees, the party is hoping the abortion scrum will put renewed focus on the Senate. The day Roe was canned was the DSCC’s strongest online fundraising day of the cycle, and the day after was its second best, according to the outlet.
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Fundraising advantages can be a gauge of voter energy ahead of elections, but the party with the fundraising edge does not always eke out the win. For example, in 2018, the Republican National Committee outspent the Democratic National Committee significantly but still lost the House. Additionally, the official party campaign arms are not the only major groups raising cash. Individual campaigns and super PACs also raise money on behalf of candidates.
In prior wave years, parties managed to sail to victory in the House while failing to win over the Senate. For example, in the 2010 elections, Republicans toppled Democratic control of the House but came up short of flipping their near-filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. In 2018, Democrats handily seized the House but lost two seats in the Senate.
