Close House races bring pleas for more donations

{mosads}Murphy, a Democrat, has been certified the winner of the race, but West hasn’t conceded. The congressman has questioned the election results and raised concerns about how the ballots were counted. 

On Friday, a joint fundraising committee called the Murphy Election Protection Fund filed a statement of organization, according to FEC records, in affiliation with Murphy’s campaign. In addition, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) sent out an email Saturday asking donors to contribute in order to “knock out the Tea Party.”

“A loss for Allen West would be a devastating blow to the Tea Party movement. All we have to do to make that happen is protect the ballots of Florida voters,” the DCCC said in its email. 

West, a proficient fundraiser, likely has enough campaign funds to support a sustained legal challenge to the election results. West’s campaign reported having almost $3.4 million in cash on hand up to Oct. 17, according to FEC records. 

Other candidates have also asked for campaign contributions while awaiting word on election results. 

Rep. Dan Benishek (R-Mich.) won his race on Friday after Democratic challenger Gary McDowell conceded. The day before, Erin DeLullo, a fundraiser for Benishek, asked donors to consider contributing again in an email obtained by The Hill.

“We are up by approximately 2000 votes, but our opponent Gary McDowell is indicating that he will ask for a recount. If that is the case Dr. Benishek will need your help for this effort,” DeLullo wrote. “Please let me know if you or pac would like to help. Thank you in advance for your continued support! [sic]”

On her campaign website on Thursday, Democratic House candidate Kyrsten Sinema asked supporters to help raise $50,000 for a legal fund.

“Thousands of early and provisional ballots remain. We need to raise $50,000 into our legal fund while the votes are counted to ensure that the process is fair and the election results are valid,” Sinema wrote. “We always knew this would be an incredibly close election. After your incredible generosity, I apologize for asking for more just days after the polls closed. But that’s the necessity of the situation we face.” 

Sinema was declared the winner of the race in Arizona’s new 9th Congressional District on Monday, defeating Republican Vernon Parker.

Ami Bera, the Democratic challenger to Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.), is looking for more campaign contributions as he awaits word on the result in the race. 

Bera’s campaign website directs visitors to a fundraising page asking them for “your support now to secure our victory and make sure every vote counts.” His campaign also released a video after Election Day saying it would need voters’ help again.

Lungren made a similar appeal on his Facebook page the day after the election.

“Please look for a follow-up email on opportunities to help make sure every ballot is counted. Thank you for your support,” Lungren said.