Republicans’ Fundraising Resilience Amidst Political Headwinds
In a surprising twist for the beleaguered GOP, vulnerable House Republicans showcased impressive fundraising capabilities in the final quarter of 2025, presenting a glimmer of hope as the party grapples with challenges in maintaining its foothold in the House.
Recent campaign finance disclosures to the Federal Election Commission reveal that incumbent House Republicans in battleground districts slightly outperformed their Democratic adversaries in fundraising during the year’s final stretch. A select group of GOP members, entrenched in fiercely contested races, has managed to accumulate substantial war chests as they gear up for the midterms.
However, the road ahead remains daunting for Republicans as they strive to preserve their slim majority in the House. Recent generic ballot polling indicates a Democratic advantage, and the party has consistently outperformed its 2024 presidential numbers in special elections—most recently, a notable win in a Texas state Senate race.
In a noteworthy display of financial prowess, five House Republicans from districts targeted by the national Democrats each raised over $1 million in the fourth quarter of 2025. In contrast, while Democrats facing GOP challenges demonstrated respectable fundraising efforts, only one vulnerable Democrat, Rep. Eugene Vindman of Virginia, managed to surpass the million-dollar mark during this period.
Thanks to a surge in contributions, seven at-risk GOP members boasted over $3 million in cash reserves at the year’s end, with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) leading the pack with an impressive $7.3 million. On the flip side, just three Democrats targeted by the GOP managed to achieve similar financial milestones.
The fundraising dynamics in the House starkly contrast with those in the Senate, where Democrats are confronted with a more formidable challenge to regain control. Notably, Democrats outpaced Republicans in most critical Senate races at the close of the previous year.
Although financial resources are not the sole determinants of electoral success—given the influential role of outside groups—House Republicans’ robust fundraising efforts entering 2026 starkly contrast with the past two midterm cycles, during which they consistently lagged behind Democrats in fundraising. Remarkably, the National Republican Congressional Committee also managed to outpace the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in a peculiar off-year fundraising scenario, raking in $117 million compared to the Democrats’ $115 million.
According to a POLITICO analysis, the average Republican seeking reelection in a DCCC-targeted seat raised $646,000 in the fourth quarter, while their Democratic counterparts in NRCC-targeted races raised an average of $612,000. These figures specifically account for incumbents seeking reelection in seats identified as offensive targets by each party’s campaign arms, excluding challengers who may face primary hurdles.
As the general election battleground approaches, the advantage of either party remains shrouded in uncertainty.
Some Republican challengers have come close to or even surpassed their Democratic incumbents in terms of fundraising. For instance, Republican state Sen. Carrie Ann Buck outperformed Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.) in the fourth quarter, raising $352,000 compared to Titus’s $299,000. However, Titus maintained a significant advantage in cash reserves, with $841,000 compared to Buck’s $297,000. Similarly, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), who found himself in the spotlight following a December pardon by Trump, raised $260,000 against GOP challenger Tano Tijerina’s $212,000.
“House Republicans are running laps around Democrats because we have unstoppable momentum and a winning message. We’re charging full steam ahead to grow our majority in November,” asserted NRCC spokesperson Mike Marinella in a bold statement.
In other competitive races, Democratic challengers have not only closed the fundraising gap but even outpaced their GOP rivals, though Republicans enjoy a lead in available cash. Democrat Rebecca Cooke, attempting to unseat GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden in western Wisconsin, raised $1.2 million last quarter, positioning herself with $2.5 million on hand compared to Van Orden’s $931,000 and $2.7 million in reserves.
“House Republicans are running scared, and they should be,” countered DCCC spokesperson Viet Shelton, adding, “Going into the on-year, momentum is on our side—with stronger candidates, a better message, and growing public discontent with Republicans, Democrats are primed to reclaim the majority.”
In Iowa, Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks faced a narrow fundraising defeat against her Democratic challenger, Christina Bohannan, who is making her third attempt to unseat her. Bohannan raised just over $1.1 million, edging out Miller-Meeks, who fell slightly below that mark. However, the Republican held a cash advantage, boasting nearly $3.4 million compared to Bohannan’s $2.3 million.
Meanwhile, Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, a Democrat vying to unseat Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.), raised $647,000 last quarter, just shy of Bresnahan’s $676,000. Still, she had $807,000 in the bank compared to his $1.4 million.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) enjoyed a strong quarter, bringing in nearly $1.3 million with $3.5 million available as Democrats engage in a competitive primary to challenge him. Self-funding Democrat Peter Chatzky invested $5 million of his personal wealth into his campaign, sitting with $5.5 million in the bank. The next closest Democrat in fundraising was Cait Conley, who raised $572,000 and had $1.2 million in cash on hand.
Conversely, some Republicans in traditionally red districts, identified by Democrats as potential flip targets, did not engage in fundraising commensurate with the seriousness of their challenges. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) reported a meager $151,000 raised with a paltry $62,000 in reserves, despite Trump winning his Nashville-area district by a hefty 18 points. His potential Democratic challenger, Columbia Mayor Chaz Molder, outstripped him with $412,000 raised and $978,000 cash on hand.
Yet, in several pivotal battleground races, Republican incumbents significantly outperformed their opponents, particularly in contests where Democrats are grappling with contested primaries that could siphon off critical resources ahead of November.
In Colorado’s 8th District, Rep. Gabe Evans (R) raised $790,000 and commenced the year with over $2.5 million in cash, surpassing both his main Democratic challengers. State Rep. Manny Rutinel managed to raise $428,000 with $1.2 million cash on hand, while state Rep. Shannon Bird brought in $375,000 and recorded $763,000 in reserves.
Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.), striving to secure his newly redrawn seat in California’s Central Valley, doubled the fundraising totals of each of his Democratic rivals while starting the year with about four times their available funds. Valadao raised $618,000 with $2.1 million in the bank, while progressive Randy Villegas garnered $374,000 and had $538,000 cash on hand, and physician Jasmeet Bains raised just shy of $300,000 with $438,000 on hand.
