McCarthy raises $43.6 million in first half of 2021

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) raised more than $43 million in the first half of 2021, his campaign said Wednesday, a staggering sum that will help bolster Republicans as they look to take back control of the House next year.

The $43.6 million haul includes $16.5 million raised in the second quarter of the year, according to McCarthy’s campaign. The top House Republican has already transferred $15 million to the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) and state parties and has given another $6.8 million to Republican House incumbents in competitive districts. 

McCarthy touted his fundraising numbers as a sign of enthusiasm for Republicans, who will likely need to pick up roughly a half-dozen seats next year to regain their majority in the lower chamber.

“Americans across the country are showing they want a new way forward,” he said in a statement, blaming President Biden and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for stalling the post-pandemic economic recovery and worsening inflation. 

“Under a Republican led House we will return our economy to the greatest in the world and ensure every American can get back to work,” he added. “Better days are ahead, and I look forward to winning back the House majority in November 2022.” 

McCarthy’s announcement came a day after the NRCC revealed that it had raised $45.4 million in the second quarter, bringing its total for the first half of the year to more than $79 million. 

The group will report having $55 million in cash on hand, besting its Democratic counterpart, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), which is expected to report having more than $44 million in the bank. 

The DCCC announced last week that it had raised $36.5 million in the second quarter.