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WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats' campaign arm outraised its GOP rival again last month and now has $32 million saved to help endangered incumbents defend their narrow majority, committee officials said Tuesday.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee raised $7.7 million in July and is ready to spend the bulk of it to turn back Republican challengers. The Democrats' campaign arm has now raised almost $104 million and, as of Aug. 1, the group has spent more than $73 million for the fall campaign.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee said over the weekend that it raised almost $5.4 million in July and has $26.6 million ready to help candidates. Fundraising summaries show Republicans with $76 million raised and $53 million spent, outpacing 2010 and 2012 efforts.
Even with improved fundraising, the GOP has been out-raised in 17 of the past 19 months.
The heavy giving and spending are signs of close races in several states, such as Kentucky, North Carolina and Iowa. Much of the party committees' budgets will go toward negative television ads, direct mail and phone calls.
If Republicans pick up six Senate seats, they will claim the majority for the first time since 2006's elections gave Democrats control of the chamber.
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