Democratic candidates for the House and Senate have raked in more than $1 billion in donations this year, a record amount.
The Washington Post examined Federal Election Commission records and concluded that the fundraising haul through September was $1.06 billion. The previous record was $893.64 million raised by Republicans in 2012.
So far in 2018, Republican candidates in midterm races have raised $709 million.
"We expected to see the numbers climb, as they typically do, but the astonishing spike in campaign donations is a solid indicator of the intensity driving this year's campaigns," Center for Responsive Politics executive director Sheila Krumholz told the Post.
Several high-profile races for House and Senate seats this year have gained national attention and are raising vast amounts of money as Democrats try to take back control of the House and Senate chambers.
The Florida Senate race between Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Florida's Republican Gov. Rick Scott has raised a combined $79 million. Senate races in at least four other states — Missouri, Arizona, Indiana, and Wisconsin — have netted more than $50 million each in donations.