The House Republican campaign arm has a $720,310 edge against its Democratic counterpart in year-to-date fundraising, its first off-year lead since 2015.
Why it matters: The GOP lead is small. But it's a huge upgrade for Republicans from prior years of Democrats dominating early fundraising, including during President Trump's first term.
- In 2017, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) led the National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) by $8.7 million at this point in the cycle.
- In 2019, the DCCC led by $21 million.
- In 2023, the most recent off year, the gap was even wider at $23 million.
Yes, but: Democrats have more cash on hand, $46.6 million to the NRCC's $45.8 million.
- The DCCC reported $26.6 million in Q3 receipts, outpacing the NRCC's $24 million haul in Q3.
- Democrats also out-fundraised Republicans in Q3 in two-thirds of the "toss-up" House seats with an incumbent running for reelection next year.
What they're saying: "The numbers don't lie: Republicans have the momentum, the message, and the money while Democrats are broke, divided, and out of gas," NRCC spokesperson Mike Marinella told Axios in a statement.
- "The NRCC is grasping at straws because poll after poll shows House Republicans are sinking in battleground districts," DCCC spokesperson Aidan Johnson told Axios in a statement.
The bottom line: The campaign committees head into Q4 effectively tied.
- Year-end fundraising reports covering Oct. 1 to Dec. 31 will show which party was best able to capitalize on the government shutdown.
