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WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans' campaign arm raised more than $5 million last month and has almost $27 million ready to help candidates, committee aides said Saturday.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee fundraising summary shows it outpacing efforts in 2010 and 2012. The campaign committee has now raised about $76 million, although it has struggled to keep up with its Democratic rival.
Heading into July, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee had outraised Republicans in 16 of the previous 18 months. Through the end of June, the Democrats' campaign arm had raised about $125 million and had saved more than $30 million.
Senate Democrats' committee has not yet released its July fundraising numbers. Like other party-linked political groups, that committee has until Wednesday to do so.
But the heavy giving — and spending — is a sign 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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