WASHINGTON - An early but incomplete snapshot of 2013’s political fundraising is coming into focus.
Friday was the deadline for candidates, their committees and some of their outside groups to file their end-of-year financial reports with the Federal Elections Commission. The reports are unlikely to provide a clear view of political advantages, however, because many of the outside groups operate under rules that don’t require financial reports until March or later.
Early reports show heavy spending will be the norm. The Republican Governors Association said it raised $50.3 million last year and has roughly the same amount in the bank. Its rival, the Democratic Governors Association, said it raised $28 million last year but did not release its bank balance.
There are 36 gubernatorial races in 2014. Of those, Republicans control the governor’s office in 22 states.
The Democrats’ committee to elect members to the House raised almost $76 million last year to fund its effort to retake the majority. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee reported it has $29.3 million in the bank.
The National Republican Congressional Committee trailed, raising almost $61 million and banking $21 million for this year’s elections.
The GOP has a 32-seat advantage in the House, 232 Republicans to 200 Democrats. There are three open seats.
On the Senate side of Capitol Hill, Democrats’ campaign committee raised $52.6 million to defend its majority. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee also reported it had $3.75 million in debt heading into the election year.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee raised $36.6 million last year and has more than $8 million in the bank.
Thirty-five Senate seats are up this year, and Democrats will be defending 21 of them. The balance of power in the Senate is 45 Republicans, 53 Democrats and two independents who generally vote with the Democrats. Republicans need a net gain of six seats to wrest the Senate from Democrats’ control.
Front Section, Pages 4 on 02/01/2014