Politics
House Republicans Announce Record-Breaking Fundraising Haul For 2026
The battle for control of Congress in 2026 is already in full swing, and House Republicans are making it known they’re not waiting around to play defense. Backed by a record-setting fundraising haul, the GOP is aggressively preparing to hold—and potentially expand—their razor-thin House majority.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) announced it raised $36.7 million in the first quarter of 2025, calling it the best off-year Q1 total in the committee’s history. That includes a staggering $21.5 million in March alone, according to Punchbowl News—a number that more than doubles the combined totals from January and February.
The surge in donations also allowed the NRCC to pay off $6.75 million in debt, reducing its outstanding balance to $4.5 million. Heading into the summer, the committee sits on $23.9 million in cash on hand.
This level of financial firepower is no small thing for Republicans, who hold a fragile grip on the House heading into the 2026 midterms. Every seat will be up for grabs on November 3, and the stakes are high, with Democrats needing just a handful of flips to take back control.
Republicans are defending turf in suburban swing districts while going on offense in places like South Texas, where former Rep. Mayra Flores (R-TX) has launched a comeback bid. In Michigan, the GOP is bracing for a fight in the now-open 10th District following Rep. John James’s (R-MI) decision to run for governor.
On the other side of the aisle, Democrats are ramping up fundraising and candidate recruitment, especially in light of multiple Senate retirements in Michigan, Minnesota, and New Hampshire. But the financial scoreboard tells a deeper story.
Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) pulled in more than $4.1 million between his campaign and leadership PAC in the first quarter. A growing national voice on security issues, Kelly has taken on a broader messaging role for Democrats as the cycle intensifies. Meanwhile, Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) raised $1.2 million—her best first-quarter haul ever—as she explores a Senate run in Minnesota. She currently has $1 million on hand.
Republicans aren’t easing up. House Administration Committee Chair Bryan Steil (R-WI) raised $860,000 this quarter and now sits on $2.75 million, according to Punchbowl News. While Democrats have flagged Steil’s seat as one to watch—placing it on the DCCC’s “Districts in Play” list—he defeated his opponent by more than 10 points last cycle. In the Senate, longtime GOP incumbent Susan Collins (R-ME) raised $570,456 and enters the cycle with $3.2 million on hand.
The GOP is also seeing early energy in several primary races. Former Rep. John Fleming (R-LA) is challenging Sen. Bill Cassidy and has $2.2 million in cash on hand—largely due to a $2 million loan he gave to his own campaign. In Georgia, Republican Sam Couvillon, who’s taking on Rep. Andrew Clyde, raised $263,000 in just two months and has $213,000 in the bank.
Democrats, for their part, are facing scrutiny of their own. Former Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL) is back in the headlines after it was revealed her campaign is paying her son, Nick Bustos, $1,000 per month for media consulting—both are now employed by Mercury Public Affairs.
Democrats are far from out of the fight. But the financial gap is widening, and Republicans are showing they intend to use every dollar of it.
