New disclosures to the Federal Election Commission show donors continuing to back Democrats facing tough House and Senate races in November, but some challengers have shown a willingness to tap their personal wealth.
Here’s a rundown of key races in the reports. Unless otherwise noted, the figures cover the three months ending June 30.
Averages favor vulnerable Democrats
The latest reports show that when it comes to the most vulnerable incumbent House members, the nine Democrats in races rated Toss-up or Tilt Democratic by Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales raised an average $1.8 million each during the quarter, and had an average $3.3 million in their campaign accounts on June 30. That compares to an average $938,000 raised and $2.4 million on hand for the 15 Republican incumbents in races with similar ratings, including New York Rep. Brandon Williams, whose race is rated Tilt Democratic.
In less competitive races that are still on the battleground this year, Republicans were doing better. The 14 GOP members with races rated Lean Republican or Likely Republican raised $1.1 million on average and had $2.7 million in the bank on June 30. That compares with $866,000 raised and $2.3 million cash on hand for 21 incumbent Democrats in races rated Lean Democratic or Likely Democratic.
House challengers rising
Some Democratic House candidates in battleground districts outpaced the Republican incumbents they are hoping to unseat, and in several cases, they have more money in the bank as well.
In Arizona’s 6th District, environmental attorney and law professor Kristen Engel brought in $1.7 million in the quarter and had $3 million on hand. Her Republican opponent, Rep. Juan Ciscomani, raised $1 million and had $2.8 million in the bank.
Two Southern California Democrats — former NASA chief of staff George Whitesides and former federal prosecutor Will Rollins — continued to raise money at a blistering pace.
In the 27th District, Whitesides brought in $1.5 million this quarter for his campaign against Republican Rep. Mike Garcia, who raised about $730,000. Whitesides had loaned his campaign money in the past but did not do so this filing period, according to his FEC report. Whitesides had almost $3.9 million in the bank, compared to Garcia’s $2.2 million.
Rollins, who is seeking to oust Republican Rep. Ken Calvert in the 41st District, raised $2.2 million and had $4.7 million on hand. Calvert brought in $1.4 million and had $3.6 million on hand.
Other Democratic challengers who raised more than their GOP opponents and have a cash advantage include Christina Bohannan, who is running against Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in Iowa’s 1st District; Tony Vargas, who is facing Rep. Don Bacon in Nebraska’s 2nd District, and Janelle Stelson, a former local news anchor who is seeking to unseat Rep. Scott Perry in Pennsylvania’s 10th District.
In New York, three Democratic challengers running in districts that Joe Biden would have won in 2020 had the current district lines been in place, outpaced their GOP rivals. Mondaire Jones, a former member seeking a comeback, raised $1.6 million and had $4.3 million in the bank. His opponent in the 17th District, freshman Rep. Mike Lawler, raised less than $1.6 million and had $3.9 million on hand.
In New York’s 4th District, Democrat Laura Gillen raised $1.9 million in her rematch against Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, who raised $1.1 million. Gillen also had more cash on hand, $2.5 million, than D’Esposito, who had $2.2 million.
And in 19th District, Josh Riley’s $1.9 million haul for the quarter was about double that of his opponent, Rep. Marc Molinaro, who reported a $911,000 total. Riley had $4 million in the bank to Molinaro’s $2.3 million.
Defendant caucus discloses
Texas Democrat Henry Cuellar, who was indicted with his wife in May on allegations including unlawful foreign influence, bribery and money laundering, reported raising $213,000 during the quarter. His campaign spent $278,000 and finished with $351,000 on hand on June 30. Cuellar was unopposed in the March 5 primary in Texas’ 28th District, and will face Navy veteran Jay Furman in November. Furman reported receipts of $44,000 and finished the quarter with $17,000 on hand. Inside Elections rates the race Likely Democratic.
Sen. Bob Menendez, who was found guilty Tuesday on bribery and other charges, went on trial midway through the quarter, and his most recent report covering May 16 to June 30 showed virtually no fundraising. The New Jersey Democrat had just one disclosed contribution — $500 from someone whose occupation is listed as “not employed” — and another $231.50 in amounts under the $200 limit that triggers disclosing the donor’s name. His campaign account also collected $26,000 in interest. Menendez had $3.3 million on hand on June 30, and 95 percent of the $288,000 in spending on the latest report went for legal services.
Menendez did not run in his state’s Democratic primary in June but filed to run as an independent in November. Rep. Andy Kim, the Democratic nominee for his seat, reported having $4.1 million on hand on June 30. Republican nominee Curtis Bashaw reported having $1.1 million, but that’s only because he loaned his campaign $1 million on June 30. Inside Elections rates the race for Menendez’s seat as Solid Democratic.
Bankrolls over $3 million
The House incumbent in a battleground race with the most cash on hand was Democrat Matt Cartwright in Pennsylvania’s 8th District, who had $4.6 million on hand. Republican opponent Rob Bresnahan had $1.2 million.
Washington Rep. Marie Gluensenkamp Perez, the most vulnerable Democrat in the House in Roll Call’s latest ranking, reported having $4.1 million. Republican Joe Kent, who is making his second run for the seat, raised $308,000 and had $882,000 in his account.
Other incumbents in races rated Toss-up or Tilt with at least $3 million in the bank were Democrats Susan Wild of Pennsylvania, Yadira Caraveo of Colorado and Mary Peltola of Alaska, and Republicans Lawler, Calvert and Thomas H. Kean Jr.
Self-funders seek Senate
Democratic candidates for Senate, for the most part, maintained a fundraising advantage over their Republican opponents that continues to be a bright spot as they defend seats in Republican-leaning and swing states this year.
Montana Sen. Jon Tester, one of the most vulnerable Democrats on the ballot given his state’s Republican lean, raised $10.6 million in the second quarter and had $10.9 million on hand at the end of June. His Republican opponent, Tim Sheehy, raised $5.3 million, including a $1 million personal loan, and had $3.2 million on hand. Inside Elections rates the race as a Toss-up.
Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, also in a race rated Toss-up by Inside Elections, raised $12.8 million in the second quarter and had $10.7 million on hand. Bernie Moreno, his Republican challenger, raised $4.4 million and had $4.5 million on hand.
Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen, a Democrat whose race is rated Tilt Democratic, raised $7.6 million and had $9.5 million on hand, while Republican Sam Brown raised $4.1 million and had $3.1 million on hand at the end of the quarter.
In Arizona and Michigan, both swing states with open Senate seats, the likely Democratic nominees, Reps. Ruben Gallego and Elissa Slotkin, respectively, have major cash advantages to their Republican opponents. In Arizona, Gallego had $9.2 million on hand, while Kari Lake, the likely Republican nominee, had $2.8 million. In Michigan, Slotkin, who is running in a contested Democratic primary in August, had $9.6 million on hand. Former Rep. Mike Rogers, the Republicans’ favored candidate, had $2.5 million on hand, while Sandy Pensler, a businessman self-funding his campaign, had $1.1 million on hand after loaning his campaign $1.9 million last quarter.
In Maryland, Democrat Angela Alsobrooks raised $5.3 million while Republican former Gov. Larry Hogan raised $5.1 million during the quarter. Alsobrooks had $3.6 million on hand at the end of June to Hogan’s $2.7 million.
In some cases, Republican candidates kept pace with their Democratic opponents with help from their personal fortunes. Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey slightly outraised his Republican challenger, Dave McCormick. Casey raised $13.7 million in the first quarter, while McCormick raised $12 million, including a $3.1 million personal loan. Casey had $8.4 million on hand to McCormick’s $8 million.
In Wisconsin, Sen. Tammy Baldwin raised $7.5 million in the second quarter, while Republican Eric Hovde raised $7.3 million, including a $5 million loan. Still, Baldwin had more cash in the bank. She had $7.3 million as of June 30 to Hovde’s $5.4 million.
Nella Domenici, the Republican running for the Senate in New Mexico, outraised Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich in the second quarter. She raised $2.5 million, including a $1 million loan, to Heinrich’s $1.7 million. But Heinrich still had more in the bank. He ended June with $4.8 million on hand to Domenici’s $2.1 million. Inside Elections rates the race as Solid Democratic.
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz had more cash on hand than Democratic Rep. Colin Allred. Cruz had $12.7 million on hand and Allred had $10.5 million. Allred outraised Cruz for the quarter, $10.5 million to $7.9 million. The Texas race is rated Likely Republican.
Florida Sen. Rick Scott raised $8.4 million in the second quarter, including a $5.8 million loan. Former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel Powell, his likely Democratic challenger, raised $4.8 million. Both had $4.3 million on hand at the end of June. Inside Elections rates the race as Solid Republican.
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