Republicans report record fundraising

Effort to retake House has raised $105 million so far this year.

NEW YORK — The Republican fundraising committee dedicated to flipping the House of Representatives in next year’s midterm election said Thursday that it had raised more than $105 million this year through September.

The record haul for the nine-month period marks a 74% increase over the last cycle and includes $25.8 million raised in the third quarter. The group said it now has $65 million cash on hand, nearly triple what it had at this time four years ago.

“House Democrats are sprinting toward the exits because they know their days in the majority are numbered and we look forward to keeping up the pressure,” National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Emmer said in a statement.

The numbers are the latest sign that Republicans are energized heading into the midterm, as President Biden’s popularity wanes and with history on their side. The president’s party almost always loses seats in midterm elections, and Democrats currently hold only a narrow majority.

The Democrats’ congressional fundraising arm has not yet released its total through September. But last month, it announced it had raised $10 million in August — besting the Republican House campaign committee’s $6.5 million.

The NRCC outraised the Democratic House committee $45.4 million to $36.5 million through the year’s second quarter, which ended June 30.

The NRCC’s total includes $19.4 million transferred from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (RBakersfield), $10.3 million from House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and $1.2 million from Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who replaced Rep. Liz Cheney, a vocal critic of former President Trump, as the House Republican Conference chair.