5 takeaways from the latest campaign finance reports
The latest campaign filings released this week are beginning to illustrate the contours of several highly watched Senate races while also raising questions about whether some members of Congress might seek retirement.
Candidates were required to file their federal campaign reports from the second quarter of this year, which spans between April and June, by Tuesday. Political groups and parties who report semiannually have until the end of the month to report their sums.
Here are five takeaways from the latest fundraising quarter:
Cornyn, Cassidy stay competitive despite GOP primary challengers
Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who are both facing primary challengers from their right, have been able to stay competitive in fundraising despite questions around how at risk they are of losing their primaries next year.
While Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) technically raised more from his principal campaign than Cornyn — Paxton raked in $2.9 million, while Cornyn’s campaign raked in roughly $803,000 — Cornyn enjoys an overall total of close to $4 million between his principal campaign committee and joint fundraising committee.
Overall, only $2.7 million from Cornyn's political operation can go to him, given some of the money raised from his joint fundraising committee exceeds what can be doled out to a campaign, according to The Texas Tribune.
Cornyn’s allies are also ramping up their fundraising efforts. Texans for a Conservative Majority, a pro-Cornyn super PAC, raked in close to $11 million in the second quarter, according to Politico. Meanwhile, the pro-Paxton group Lone Star Liberty PAC hauled in $1.85 million, according to the Tribune.
Over in Louisiana, Cassidy raised $1.6 million from his principal campaign committee, while Louisiana Treasurer John Fleming’s campaign reported raising $2.1 million, which includes a $2 million self-loan. State Sen. Blake Miguez, who has also announced a run against Cassidy, reported $1.8 million for the quarter, including a self-loan of $1 million.
But between Cassidy’s campaign and associated joint fundraising committees, his team said he’s raised $2.1 million in total for the quarter. Cassidy also ends the quarter with nearly $9 million in the bank.
Some numbers raise speculation over potential retirements
Several lawmakers’ fundraising hauls are driving speculation that they could be retiring from Congress soon.
In the House, 88-year-old D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D) — who’s said she intends to run again, while her team has walked back that sentiment — raised $45,000 in the second quarter, including loaning herself $40,000.
Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.), who is 83 and has not formally declared whether he’s running for another term, raised about $46,000 between April and June, though he has about $115,000 in the bank.
Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), who, according to The Tennessean, is under federal investigation over his campaign finance filings, raised about $53,000. Ogles has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
However, while these sums are lower than usual, that doesn’t necessarily mean these lawmakers aren’t seeking reelection.
Michigan’s McMorrow crushes rivals in fundraising
Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, who’s running for the open Senate seat in the Great Lakes State, outraised her two Democratic challengers and GOP Senate contender former Rep. Mike Rogers.
While Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) raked in $2.8 million in the latest quarter of fundraising, that included $1.5 million that she transferred from her House campaign committee to her Senate one, meaning she raised $1.3 million herself between April and June.
McMorrow raised $2.1 million in the latest quarter while Abdul El-Sayed, a former Wayne County health director, raised close to $1.8 million.
Rogers raised $745,000 from his principal campaign committee; his political operation brought in $1.5 million altogether between his campaign and joint fundraising committee.
Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), who’s considering his own bid for Michigan Senate, raised about $746,000 in the last reporting period.
Progressives, potential 2028 hopefuls raking in high sums
While progressive stars may not be raking in the same sums that they were last quarter, they’re still touting some pretty high numbers.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) brought in $4.5 million, while Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) raked in $5.8 million. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), a rising star within the party, reported $2.1 million last quarter, and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) reported close to $2.5 million.
Both Khanna and Ocasio-Cortez have been floated as potential 2028 presidential nominees on the Democratic side.
Other 2028 challengers including Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), more of a mainstream Democrat, have also reported high sums. Booker’s campaign reported $9.6 million raised, including $1.5 million in transfers.
Vulnerable House Republicans post strong numbers
While Republicans are bracing for an unfavorable political environment as they contend with historical midterm headwinds, vulnerable House GOP incumbents are still posting high dollars compared with vulnerable House Democrats.
Only one House Democrat from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s (DCCC) “Frontline” members group cracked more than $1 million in fundraising, according the National Journal’s compilation of fundraising figures between DCCC front-line members and House Republicans’ vulnerable “Patriots”: Rep. Eugene Vidman (D-Va.), who brought in $1.6 million.
Meanwhile, eight National Republican Congressional Committee "Patriot" members raised more than $1 million. Rep. Young Kim (R-Calif.), who represents a “lean Republican” seat in California, raised $2 million.
The fundraising will be key for Republicans, who are contending with the prospect of likely losing seats next year.
