Republicans outraise Democrats in top targeted House races in first fundraising cycle
Cami Mondeaux
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The list of the most vulnerable House Republicans reported strong fundraising numbers during the first quarter of 2023, outraising some of the most at-risk Democrats in the top targeted House races for the next election cycle.
Both parties’ fundraising arms unveiled their top targets for the 2024 election cycle, focusing on some of the most expensive midterm races that saw members win by only a slim margin. Democrats released a list of 33 target seats they hope to seize control of next year, with Republicans homing in on 37. Both lists have two open seats the incumbents of which are not running for reelection.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS IN TOSS-UP RACES GRAPPLE WITH CAMPAIGN DEBT AHEAD OF 2024 CYCLE
The 31 targeted GOP incumbents seeking reelection managed to raise a total of $19,820,070 during the first fundraising quarter, equaling out to an average of about $639,357 per member. That leaves vulnerable incumbents with a total of $21,878,770 cash on hand, with about $705,767 per lawmaker.
The report indicates strong momentum for vulnerable Republicans, particularly as several GOP members who ran competitive races in 2022 were faced with comparatively low amounts of cash on hand as well as staggering levels of fundraising debt.
A handful of Republicans, such as Reps. John Duarte (R-CA), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Brandon Williams (R-NY), Marc Molinaro (R-NY), and George Santos (R-NY), all won their races by less than 2 percentage points, and each began the year with fundraising deficits. All five remain in debt as of March 31, according to records filed with the Federal Election Commission.
However, the latest numbers show the full list of vulnerable GOP lawmakers outraised the Democratic version during the first quarter, giving a boost to some of the GOP’s most vulnerable members.
“NRCC Chairman [Richard] Hudson placed a strategic focus on boosting his members’ campaign accounts, and we already see outsized returns with frontline House Democrats incapable of coming close to the fundraising of swing-district Republicans,” NRCC National Press Secretary Will Reinert told the Washington Examiner.
Meanwhile, the 35 Democrats being targeted by the GOP as they run for reelection were able to raise a total of $14,307,795 during the first fundraising quarter, putting them roughly $5.5 million below the NRCC. That leaves the list of targets with $14,859,604 cash on hand, with an average of $424,560 per member.
A number of Democrats on the GOP target list must also deal with fundraising deficits left over from the midterm cycle, such as Reps. Wiley Nickel (D-NC) and Matt Cartwright (D-PA). Both remain in debt as they enter the second fundraising quarter.
Although the list of individual Republicans managed to outraise Democrats in the parties’ top targeted races, the DCCC raised more than the NRCC in the first quarter of 2023 when taking all House races into account. The DCCC raised a record-breaking $37.7 million, besting the NRCC, which raised $25.8 million.
“These record-breaking funds will be critical in our fight to restore a House Democratic majority in 2024 — and thanks to the tireless work of Leader Hakeem Jeffries, our entire Democratic Caucus, and grassroots supporters across the country, we are well on our way,” DCCC Chairwoman Suzan DelBene said in a statement. “After 100 days of chaos, inaction, and extremism, voters are showing they’re ready to send House Republicans back to the minority in 2024.”
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All 435 seats are up for grabs in 2024 as Republicans seek to hold their slim majority in the lower chamber. Of these, 42 are considered competitive, with most of those held by Democrats compared to Republicans, giving the GOP a slight advantage as it prepares for the next election cycle.
However, of the 42 competitive seats, 18 are held by Republicans in districts that voted for President Joe Biden in 2020, compared to just five Democrats who must defend their seats in districts carried by former President Donald Trump. That means there are just enough vulnerable GOP-held seats to keep things competitive heading into the next election cycle.