It’s time again for campaigns to reveal where they’re getting their money from.
House and Senate candidates are due to file quarterly fundraising reports to the Federal Election Commission by midnight Wednesday. The reports, which cover July through September, include total fundraising and spending numbers, as well as all donations from donors giving more than $200.
For candidates in battleground states and districts, fundraising numbers are a chance to showcase strength as they gear up for the midterms. And for candidates in competitive primaries, the deadline is a chance to one-up their opponents and show they are the candidate with the viability to make it to the general.
We already know some of the biggest fundraisers, since several candidates announced their totals ahead of Wednesday’s deadline. In the Michigan Senate race, Rep. Haley Stevens led the Democratic field with $1.9 million raised from July through September, with state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and former health official Abdul El-Sayed close behind, each raising around $1.7 million. (Former Rep. Mike Rogers, the only serious Republican in the race, reported $2.2 million raised.)
In the Democratic Texas Senate primary, state Rep. James Talarico’s campaign said he raised $6.2 million in just the first three weeks after launching in early September. That’s more than the $4.1 million that former Rep. Colin Allred, last year’s nominee, raised over the quarter. On the Republican side, Sen. John Cornyn’s campaign said he raised $3.36 million over the quarter between his campaign and joint fundraising committee; challenger Ken Paxton has yet to release numbers.
A handful of candidates who only recently jumped into high-profile races won’t have to file until the end of January, as Wednesday’s reports cover only through the end of September. In Maine, Gov. Janet Mills’ campaign said she had raised $1 million in the first day since her Senate launch Tuesday. Meanwhile, oysterman Graham Platner’s campaign said he raised $3.2 million since his August launch. Sen. Susan Collins, the Republican they’re seeking to challenge, reported $1.9 million raised over the quarter and $6.7 million cash on hand.
