Democrats Challenging GOP Senators Rack Up 2020 Fundraising Edge

Democratic challengers outpaced incumbent Republican U.S. senators’ first-quarter fund-raising in almost all the states most likely to decide control of the chamber ahead of elections marked with uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

That includes an eye-popping $11 million in receipts for astronaut Mark Kelly in Arizona, easily topping appointed Senator Martha McSally’s $6.4 million; Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon’s $7.1 million, nearly tripling the $2.4 million raised by four-term Senator Susan Collins; and in North Carolina, Cal Cunningham’s $4.4 million, double the $2.1 million raised by incumbent Thom Tillis. In Montana, Governor Steve Bullock entered the race on March 9 and raised $3.3 million in three weeks as he eyes the seat now held by Republican Senator Steve Daines. Daines brought in just $1.3 million.

Analysts rate the fight for Senate control in November close to a toss-up. With Republicans now in control 53-47, Democrats need a net pickup of three seats to achieve a 50-50 split. That would give them control of the chamber if they also win the White House, as the vice president gets the tie-breaking vote.

Democratic leadership-endorsed candidates “continued to cement themselves as the front-runners,” in large part due to small-dollar, grassroots giving, said Stewart Boss, national press secretary for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-17/democrats-challenging-incumbent-gop-senators-rake-in-the-cash?srnd=politics-vp