By Cami Mondeaux, Congressional Reporter. Media: Washington Examiner.
Conservative groups tasked with supporting GOP candidates have shattered their previous records for off-year fundraising, giving House Republicans a crucial boost as party leaders seek to hold on to their slim majority next year.
The Congressional Leadership Fund and American Action Network, two prominent fundraising groups closely aligned with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), raised a combined $35 million during the first six months of 2023, shattering the previous off-year haul of $21.6 million reported in the first half of 2021.
“We continue to break records because of the results of the Republican-led House and the clear momentum to hold and expand the House majority behind Speaker McCarthy,” CLF President Dan Conston said in a statement. “These initial resources give CLF early firepower to begin making critical investments that will yield major results next November.”
CLF, in particular, reported strong numbers after raising more than $19 million so far this year, giving the group nearly $18 million cash on hand. The substantial fundraising is sure to aid Republicans in the 2024 cycle as the two groups are typically the biggest spenders for House GOP candidates.
The numbers build on the strong fundraising reported earlier this week by McCarthy, who raised $21.7 million through his McCarthy Victory Fund during the second quarter alone.
McCarthy has already transferred $17.6 million to the National Republican Congressional Committee, the main fundraising arm for the House GOP, as well as another $8.3 million directly to GOP incumbents.
The House speaker has also used his fundraising prowess to assist certain House Republicans vying for reelection, including firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). McCarthy hosted a benefit for the Georgia Republican on Wednesday afternoon, a sign of support after Greene was ousted from the House Freedom Caucus late last month.
All 435 seats are up for grabs in 2024 as Republicans seek to retain their slim majority in the lower chamber. Of these, 42 are considered competitive, with most held by Democrats compared to Republicans, giving the GOP a slight advantage as it prepares for the next election cycle.
However, of the 42 competitive seats, 18 are held by Republicans in districts that voted for President Joe Biden in 2020, compared to just five Democrats who must defend their seats in districts carried by former President Donald Trump. That means there are just enough vulnerable GOP-held seats to keep things fiercely competitive.
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