A record-breaking 73 Democratic candidates up for election this midterm season have out-raised GOP candidates in the second quarter, hoping to win over a majority of seats in the House race.
Non-incumbent Democratic candidates raked in $125.4 million among 828 candidates for open seats, nearly three times as much as they did in the 2014 midterms when they had 341 Democrats facing off. The numbers are $50,000 higher than the previous midterm per candidate, with 2018’s candidates averaging $151,000 per person, according to the Federal Election Committee.
Republicans are fighting for control of 42 vacant seats in the House, but Democrats have managed to raise more funds than the GOP in 20 of those districts, according to Bloomberg.
Experts credit the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s success in raising record-breaking funds for its ability to tap into the party’s growing anger at President Donald Trump’s rhetoric.
“The best fundraiser Democratic candidates have had is Donald Trump,” David Wasserman, house editor for the nonpartisan “Cook Political Report,” told Bloomberg. “A propensity of negative feelings is driving donor decisions, even in districts where we don’t think campaigns are in striking distance yet.”
Wasserman’s analysis predicts Democrats will wrestle control of the House away from Republicans in November largely in part because of this strategy. (RELATED: RNC Breaks Records With $14.6 Million In Fundraising)
“Every new outrage, whether it’s taking children from their parents at the border or propping up a dictator in Helsinki, is causing a proportional spike among people on our side determined to make a difference,” Alfred Johnson, co-founder and CEO of MobilizeAmerica Inc., an online tool that connects Democratic campaigns with activists who want to join their cause, told Bloomberg.
Democrats have drummed up support for their base through non-traditional means, staging rallies and protests against the president, turning to activism to raise party support and cash donations. Democrats are encouraging voters to cast their ballots in primaries and special elections and continue to do so heading into November.
Although this quarter has been a successful and lucrative one for Democrats running in the House race as compared to last midterm, the Republican National Committee has still out-raised its Democratic counterparts by more than $1 million this cycle. FEC filings show that the RNC raised $213 million while the Democratic National Committee trailed with $109 million.
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