Democrats are in the lead over Republicans in fundraising as incumbents and top candidates pull in money in the first three months of 2018, a report in the Washington Examiner said.
Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-Texas, brought in $6.7 million in the first quarter of 2018, while Sens. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., brought in $3.9 million and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, brought in $3.3 million.
"We have seen absolutely white-hot fundraising from Democrats up and down the board for over a year," Josh Holmes, a former Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., aide, said in the Examiner. "Lots more needs to be done. We're not anywhere near where we need to be," Holmes added.
"We have very robust numbers. If you look at our candidates, they've done very well," said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee chairman, in the Examiner.
Some Republicans have been bringing in sizeable amounts — Rep. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., brought in $1.1 million in six weeks, while Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a successful raiser of funds, entered the race for Senate against Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., the report said.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, the incumbent that O'Rourke is taking on, brought in $3.3 million in the quarter, less than half of O'Rourke's total, the report said.
However, Republicans remain positive. "We're getting a lot of interest," said Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. "We're getting a lot of people that are really receptive. They're responding really well to the tax cuts and tax reform," Tillis said in the Examiner.
Holmes acknowledged the success of the Democrats. "It's an extremely difficult cycle that Democrats are raising money hand over fist," Holmes said in the Examiner.
"There is no Republican candidate anywhere in the country where you're going to look at their cash on hand and say, ‘that's enough.' That phrase will never come out of any Republican's mouth," Holmes added.
The Republican National Committee committed $250 million to a midterm election strategy focused on keeping the Republicans in the majority in the House.
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