DSCC doubles NRSC fundraising again

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) continued to bring in twice as much money as its GOP counterpart in April, while the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) topped its competition for the first time since January.

The DSCC brought in $4.6 million in April, compared to the National Republican Senatorial Committee’s $2.1 million. The NRSC actually spent about $60,000 more than it raised, despite using just $260,000 to retire its debt.

{mosads}The NRSC’s take was its smallest since January, and the committee languishes far behind the DSCC this cycle. It has raised $9.1 million, which is just shy of half the DSCC's $18.3 million.

The Senate GOP’s total is also less than one-twelfth of Chairman John Ensign’s (Nev.) stated goal of $118 million, with one-sixth of the cycle already gone.

The NRSC endured a lot of criticism last cycle under the leadership of Sen. Elizabeth Dole (N.C.). By this point in 2005, Dole had raised $13.6 million.

The GOP also has far fewer candidates around the country than the Democrats. However, the committee’s executive director told The Hill early this month that it was progressing on both fronts.

The DSCC claimed another victory yesterday. Even accounting for its $5.5 million in outstanding debt, it now has about $3 million more in cash than the NRSC. The NRSC retired its debt and has $3.4 million in cash on hand, compared to the DSCC’s debt-adjusted sum of $6.6 million.

“We are building a solid foundation for the 2008 election cycle, and we will keep working to improve on our success,” DSCC spokesman Matthew Miller said. “Voters are embracing Democratic ideas, and it is translating to a dramatic lead in fundraising.”

NRSC spokeswoman Rebecca Fisher declined to comment.

On the House side, the NRCC for the first time in three months out-raised the Democrats, bringing in $3 million to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s (DCCC) $2.3 million.

The DCCC still holds a massive cash advantage, however, with far more cash on hand and less debt. It has also raised slightly more money on balance this cycle, with $21.5 million to the NRCC’s $19.1 million.

The NRCC has $1.6 million in cash and $7.3 million in debt, while the DCCC has $9.4 million in cash and $5.2 million in debt.

The NRCC paid down about $600,000 in debt in April, while the DCCC’s debt actually increased slightly due to legal expenses for Democrat Christine Jennings’s Florida court case challenging her loss to Rep. Vern Buchanan (R).

Both House committees spent more than they raised in April.

“We continue to surpass our goals and are very pleased with the strong support we are receiving from the American people,” DCCC spokesman Doug Thornell said.

The NRCC will pay down more debt in mid-June when it holds its President’s Dinner, which seeks to raise $7.5 million.

“Our efforts remain focused on meeting our goal for the President's Dinner and getting the fundraising framework in place for a successful 2008,” NRCC spokeswoman Julie Shutley said.

Meanwhile, the gap between the two national committees — the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee — remained sizeable and in the Republicans’ favor, with the RNC bringing in $7.4 million in April to the DNC’s $4 million.

The RNC has comfortably out-raised the DNC each month this cycle and holds an $8 million cash advantage, which is magnified by the DNC’s $3 million in outstanding debt.

“The bottom line is that Republicans remain more committed than ever to make sure we have the resources to be successful,” RNC spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt said. “They understand how important it is that Republicans keep the White House in 2008.”