(TheIndependentStar.com) – Threatening to push the country further to the left, Democratic campaigns and those of independents aligning with Democrats have significantly outperformed their Republican counterparts when it comes to raising money, as per data from the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
The figures, which encompass donations since 2019, reveal that Democratic Senate candidates have collectively amassed $289.6 million, starkly contrasting the $146.1 million raised by Republican candidates. When factoring in contributions to Senators Bernie Sanders, Angus King, and Kyrsten Sinema – independents who caucus with the Democrats – the Democratic fundraising total escalates to $338.5 million.
This financial landscape has shifted slightly with Democratic Senator Joe Manchin’s decision not to seek reelection, leading to the exclusion of his $11.3 million from the FEC’s calculations. Approximately $50 million of the Democratic senatorial campaign funds stemmed from candidates in California’s Senate primary.
In recent elections, the financial disparity between the two parties was evident. Democrats, who outspent Republicans in five of six pivotal races, saw victories. They retained control in states like Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, where their expenditure on advertising was notably higher.
This Democratic dominance was reflected in various political arenas, including failing to secure a governorship in Kentucky, losing legislative seats in Virginia and New Jersey, not capturing a state supreme court seat in Pennsylvania, and the inability to prevent the passing of an abortion rights ballot measure in Ohio – a state Trump won by 8 points in 2020.
The sole Republican triumph in these key races was incumbent Governor Tate Reeves’s gubernatorial win in Mississippi, where Republican spending surpassed that of Democrats.
Looking ahead to the 2024 elections, where Senate control hangs in the balance, Democrats continue to lead in fundraising for competitive seats. This is particularly evident in races deemed “competitive” by the Cook Political Report, where Democratic or Democrat-aligned incumbents are defending their seats. The incumbency factor may contribute to this disparity, allowing for extended fundraising periods.
In individual races, the financial advantage of Democrats is clear. For instance, Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio has raised $21.2 million, overshadowing his highest fundraising Republican opponent, Matt Dolan, who has collected $8.8 million. Similar trends are observed in Montana, Wisconsin, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
However, Republicans hold a slight fundraising edge in House campaigns. Since 2023, House campaigns have generated $522 million, with Republicans receiving $274.8 million and Democrats $245 million. Despite this, Democrats have had a fundraising advantage in third-quarter contributions for seats labeled as “toss-ups” by Cook.
In the broader political landscape, Joe Biden’s reelection campaign has outpaced former President Donald Trump’s efforts in fundraising, according to CNN.
