Apr 19, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Exclusive: Dems' Senate campaign arm raises $9.3M in March

Illustration of a donkey holding a big hundred dollar bill in its mouth

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

The Democrats’ Senate campaign arm raised nearly $9.3 million in March and will report more than $13 million in the bank when it files its monthly financial report Tuesday, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: The haul for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee topped its Republican counterpart for the second straight month. But its total for the first quarter trailed slightly, and the DSCC still has a sizable chunk of debt to pay off.

By the numbers: The DSCC’s March fundraising brought its total quarterly haul to roughly $22.7 million, according to data provided exclusively to Axios.

  • A DSCC aide said last month was the committee’s best-ever showing in March of an election cycle off-year, and its best-ever off-year month for grassroots fundraising.
  • The National Republican Senatorial Committee raised about a million less during March. But it had a slight edge in first-quarter fundraising, with just over $23 million, Politico reported last week.

What they’re saying: “The DSCC’s record-breaking fundraising reflects the strength of our grassroots support and is powered by Americans across the country who understand the importance of protecting and expanding Democrats’ Senate majority,” executive director Christie Roberts said in a statement.

Yes, but: While the DSCC entered April with more cash on hand than the NRSC, Democrats must contend with substantially more debt.

  • According to the DSCC aide, the committee paid down $3 million of an outstanding $18 million loan last month. The remaining $15 million is due by June 2022.
  • The NRSC, meanwhile, paid off its remaining $5.4 million in debt last month.
Go deeper