Balanced News Blog

Continuing its cash-on-hand advantage over its Republican counterpart, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has $19 million in its coffers at the end of the third quarter of 2005, while the National Republican Senatorial Committee carries only $9.4 million. The DSCC brought in about $8.8 million this quarter while the NRSC pulled in $7.3 million. The DSCC has enjoyed a nearly 2-to-1 cash on hand advantage over its Republican counterpart for the better part of this election cycle.

“Democratic control of the Senate means the difference between a better America where Congress puts everyday people first and the America we have today where GOP cronyism rules Washington, DC,” DSCC Chairman Chuck Schumer said. “In 2006, we have a chance to get America back on track by electing Democrats to the Senate who will be singular in their focus on working for average people. That’s why donors – both big and small – are working to make sure the DSCC has the resources Democrats will need to win the 2006 Senate campaigns.”

Senate Democrats are not only out-raising Senate Republicans, but are also out-recruiting them, as the GOP’s first choice candidates continue to skip out on Senate races. In North Dakota, Governor John Hoeven rejected a bid to run despite heavy recruiting from Republicans, including Karl Rove. And in West Virginia, Rep. Shelley Moore Capito said “no” to challenging Sen. Robert Byrd. These blows came after the NRSC’s first choice candidates in Vermont, Washington, Florida and Michigan turned down Republican recruitment efforts.

Source: DSCC.org