GOP Candidates Seize Funding Edge

[Omaha Steve]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704229004...

By BRODY MULLINS And ELIZA GRAY

WASHINGTON—Republican candidates for Congress have seized the fund-raising lead from Democrats in the closest House and Senate races.

Republicans in a dozen of the closest Senate contests claimed 58% of the nearly $50 million in total contributions during the three-month period that ended June 30, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of financial reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

That is a change from the first fund-raising period of the year when Democrats brought in a slight majority of contributions in those races.

In the 34 most-competitive House races, Republican candidates brought in a slim majority of the total raised, a first for the GOP during the 2010 election cycle. Total fund-raising in those races during the three-month period was $25 million.

The GOP position was a reversal from the previous period, when Republicans drew 44% of donations in the most-competitive races. Last year, two-thirds of all donations went to Democrats.

The fund-raising numbers suggest Republicans are translating their political momentum into campaign cash as the 2010 midterm elections near. Polls show Republican voters have grown upset with increased government spending and with the Democratic agenda in Washington, and they are more eager than core Democratic voters to turn up at the polls this November.

FULL story at link.