Both Democrats’ and Republicans’ campaign arms raked in colossal sums of cash early this year, setting the stage for a financial clash in the midterm elections next year.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced on Friday that House Democrats raised $36.9 million during the first quarter of this year, squeaking by the House GOP after their own record-shattering fundraising haul.
The National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP’s campaign arm, raised $36.7 million in their bid to retain and grow their narrow majority in the lower chamber.
While House Republicans gained momentum in March with an eye-popping $21.5 million haul compared to House Democrats’ $16.6 million, it was not enough to overcome fundraising deficits in January and February.
DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene, Washington Democrat, attributed the high fundraising to voters growing weary of “Republicans’ broken promises, their failure to lower costs, attempts to rip away health care, and plans to take food off the table of families — all so they can pay for tax breaks that benefit the ultra-wealthy.”
“Thanks to the tremendous support from across the country this quarter, it’s clear we have the momentum, message, and resources to retake the majority and get the people’s house back to the work of improving the lives of everyday Americans,” Ms. DelBene said.
NRCC spokesman Mike Marinella noted that House Republicans built a sizable fundraising edge over Democrats last month, and contended that vulnerable Republicans outraised their Democratic counterparts by nearly $500,000 during the first quarter of this year.
“Between fending off primary challengers from David Hogg’s far-left radicals and booking flights to El Salvador, House Democrats are going to have quite the expensive campaign cycle,” Mr. Marinella said. “And with swing-district Republicans nearly doubling their vulnerable Democratic opponents in both fundraising and cash on hand, it’s clear Republicans have the momentum.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, added to the Republicans’ financial strides, raising $32.2 million during the first quarter and transferring $5 million of that to the NRCC.
“With Democrats in disarray and already on record supporting a government shutdown, the largest tax increase in history, and allowing noncitizens to vote in our elections, I look forward to continuing to lead the fight ensuring House Republicans are ready to grow our majority this cycle,” Mr. Johnson said.
Republicans were able to hold onto their slim majority in the House during the 2024 election, thanks in large part to President Trump appearing on the ticket. Mr. Trump’s influence helped score the GOP a trifecta in Washington, and House Republicans viewed their first quarter fundraising haul as a key marker in their bid to maintain control of the lower chamber.
Both campaign committees have laid out aggressive road maps for seats they’re eyeing to flip next year. The DCCC last week unveiled a 35-seat target list for the 2026 midterm election cycle that includes seven seats held by Republicans in safe districts.
Earlier this year, the NRCC showcased its 26-district target list that includes 13 Democratic lawmakers in districts that backed Mr. Trump last year. Many of those lawmakers are in the DCCC’s Frontline program for incumbents facing tough races.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, New York Democrat, said Mr. Trump is turning voters off ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
“Throughout the country, it’s clear that Americans have had enough of the GOP’s cruelty and extremism, which is why they are losing special election after special election,” Mr. Jeffries said.
