Senate Democratic super PAC sets fundraising record

The Senate Majority PAC, a super PAC linked to Senate Democratic leaders, reported Thursday that it raised $19.3 million through the first 20 days of October, setting a record.

It’s the most the political action committee, run by former advisers to Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) and his deputy, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), has ever reported raising.

“Record-setting support has us well-positioned for this final stretch of the cycle. In less than two weeks Democrats are going to take back the Senate,” said Shripal Shah, a spokesman for the group.

Senate Democrats expect to pick up five to seven seats on Election Day and are focusing their spending in battlegrounds such as New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada, Indiana and Missouri.

They need a net pickup of four seats to win Senate control if Hillary Clinton is elected president. Without her in the Oval Office, they need five.

The fundraising report shows Democrats are catching up with outside Republican-allied groups.

The Senate Leadership Fund, a group linked to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), announced this week that it plans to spend $25 million on half a dozen Senate races in the final days of the campaign.