The low numbers come amidst Republican bragging about an impeachment fundraising bump
House Republicans are freaking out about low candidate fundraising. And they really should be, given the monster numbers Democrats are unveiling.
The National Journal reports that Republicans are “fretting” how low their numbers are:
So far, only a handful of House Republicans have rolled out early totals, while Democrats have spent the last week trumpeting their finances. Some are likely waiting for their opponents to announce first to shape their messaging strategy. But privately, some Republicans are fretting about low fundraising by House candidates amid recruiting difficulties in key races.
The numbers are particularly weak in light of House Republican boasting about how great impeachment was for their fundraising.
As a reminder, Democratic Frontliners and candidates are releasing eye-popping sums for the fourth quarter. For example:
-
- Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) raised $1.2 million
- Ben McAdams (UT-04) raised over $900,000
- Susie Lee (NV-03) raised $600,000
- Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (FL-26) raised $575,000
- Haley Stevens (MI-11) raised $560,000
- Wendy Davis (TX-21) raised $900,000
- Dan Feehan (MN-01) raised over $785,000
- Betsy Dirksen Londrigan (IL-13) raised $530,000
- Jilll Schupp (MO-02) raised $475,000
In case you missed the National Journal pulling back the curtain on House Republican money woes:
Show Me the Money
Democrats seem more than happy to share their year-end fundraising, while Republicans have largely kept quiet.
Kirk Bado
https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/703725/show-me-the-money?
Money talks in politics, and House Republican candidates are largely silent in the run-up to the FEC filing deadline at the end of the month.
So far, only a handful of House Republicans have rolled out early totals, while Democrats have spent the last week trumpeting their finances. Some are likely waiting for their opponents to announce first to shape their messaging strategy. But privately, some Republicans are fretting about low fundraising by House candidates amid recruiting difficulties in key races.
Of course, Republicans can point to several candidate disclosures as evidence of voter enthusiasm in recent days. Yesterday, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY 21) announced she raised $3.2 million following her starring role in the House impeachment trial. But sky-high fundraising in a safe Republican seat does not take back the House.
WinRed, the GOP online fundraising tool, announced it helped candidates and committees raise $70 million last quarter, largely after the impeachment investigation began. But the platform declined to provide a breakdown of how much money was donated for House and Senate candidates or state committees. ActBlue, the Democratic counterpart, announced on Thursday the platform raised $1 billion for candidates and causes in 2019.
Republicans’ hesitancy to disclose their numbers, coupled with more than 20 GOP retirements already this cycle, does not suggest confidence about retaking the House.