Senate GOP campaign arm raises $3.8 million in January

The Senate Republicans campaign arm raised about $3.8 million in January as Republicans seek to keep their majority in the upper chamber.

{mosads}The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) reported about $13.8 million cash on hand and no operational debt, according to figures provided by the NRSC. 

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) has yet to release its January numbers, but the Democratic campaign arm outpaced the NRSC in 2015. The DSCC raised $51.6 million last year compared to its GOP counterpart’s $41 million haul.

Despite being outraised in 2015 fundraising, the NRSC had a slight cash advantage of $11.7 million cash on hand compared to the DSCC’s $10.8 million at the end of the year. 

The DSCC had about $8.3 million in outstanding debt, according to its year-end Federal Election Commission report. 

Senate Democrats and Republicans are in a heated battle for the majority this cycle. 

Democrats need to net five Senate seats in 2016 to regain a majority in the upper chamber — unless they retain the White House, in which case a net gain of four seats would give them the majority, with the vice president breaking a 50-50 tie.

Democrats are considered to have an advantage in that they are only defending 10 Senate seats, while the GOP is defending 24 seats, including several in swing states such as Illinois, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire.