"Cash is king": Senate Republicans sound bullish on the Midwest
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U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) arrives for a closed door meeting on Capitol Hill. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
NRSC chair Sen. Tim Scott has high hopes for the Senate GOP's chances in Midwest races in the 2026 cycle, buoyed by the committee's record first-year fundraising:
- "Cash is king," Scott told Axios in an interview this week.
Why it matters: Scott is projecting confidence in Michigan and excitement in Minnesota, despite facing national political headwinds and messy, prolonged primary fights in Georgia and Texas.
- The NRSC raised $80 million this year through the end of November, with $16.8 million cash on hand, according to fundraising stats shared by the NRSC. That's $11.7 million more than over the same period in 2023.
Zoom in: Former sports reporter Michele Tafoya is eyeing a Senate run in Minnesota, and Scott told Axios he thinks she would be a "fantastic candidate."
- Asked if NRSC is ready to support her, he said, "we're going to be patient and let the process play out, and when the decision is made, we will be where we need to be."
- "What's most interesting in Minnesota is the very, very nasty Democrat primary playing out before our very eyes," he added.
Zoom out: When asked where he sees the GOP's best opportunities on offense, Scott was quick to point to the open seat in Michigan being vacated by Sen. Gary Peters (D).
- "Mike [Rogers] is going to do well, we're going to make Michigan a shade of red," Scott said.
- Scott also sees Georgia as winnable, arguing Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) is out of step with the state's voters on taxes, Israel and the border making the incumbent "a really good weapon for us" — even as the GOP struggles to rally behind a single challenger.
- The NRSC chair is also bullish about John Sununu's run in New Hampshire, saying, "to me, that's a real pickup opportunity."
Between the lines: Scott brushed off concerns that a heated, three-way primary in Georgia is hurting the party's chances of ousting Ossoff, pointing to general polling on the race being within one percentage point.
- "Whoever comes out on top in Georgia will win, and we're going to put all of our resources behind once they make their decision," Scott said.
- The primary has been ripe with drama. Former football coach Derek Dooley kicked off his bid in the middle of a feud between Trumpworld and Gov. Brian Kemp (R).
- He's up against Reps. Mike Collins (R-Ga.) and Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) in vying for the White House blessing. Collins now faces an ethics investigation in the House. Scott did not give a direct response when asked about the probe.
