House GOP Fears Wave in 2018 as Money Woes Grow

[RandySF]

House Republicans are growing increasingly alarmed that some of their most vulnerable members aren’t doing the necessary legwork to protect themselves from an emerging Democratic tidal wave. In some of the biggest media markets, where blockbuster fundraising is a prerequisite for political survival—most notably in New York City, Los Angeles, and Houston—Republican lawmakers aren’t raising enough money to run aggressive campaigns against up-and-coming Democrats.

Of the 53 House Republicans facing competitive races, according to Cook Political Report ratings, a whopping 21 have been outraised by at least one Democratic opponent in the just-completed fundraising quarter. That’s a stunningly high number this early in the cycle, one that illustrates just how favorable the political environment is for House Democrats.

The third-quarter fundraising reports paint a gloomy picture for many Republicans. Rep. Steve Knight of California raised only $144,000 in the last three months, less than the total of two lesser-known Democratic challengers. Veteran Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen of New Jersey brought in only $154,000—just over one-third the amount of his leading Democratic rival, retired Navy helicopter pilot Mikie Sherrill. In the Houston area, Rep. John Culberson, who typically doesn’t face competitive races, raised only $172,000 in a Democratic-trending district that backed Hillary Clinton last year.

The list goes on: Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California, under scrutiny over his unseemly ties to Russia, was outraised by a highly touted challenger and has only $600,000 in the bank. Rep. Claudia Tenney of New York saw her leading opponent raise twice as much money she did; even her Republican predecessor, former Rep. Richard Hanna, donated to the Democratic challenger. Rep. Leonard Lance of New Jersey brought in less than $200,000 in the quarter and has less than a half-million in cash on hand in a district where advertising is prohibitively expensive.


https://www.nationaljournal.com/s/659667?unlock=FALH9NUB4D9E32M2

[Salviati]

1. I'll believe it when I see it.

No matter how tough a spot the republicans seem to be in, they've always seem to have the deck stacked in their favor. We cannot assume that the wind is at our backs or that the demographics are in our favor. If we think we're going to have an easy time in any of the next few elections, we're soon going to be disabused of that notion.

[riversedge]

6. Some GOP will enter the scene for them.

[BigmanPigman]

2. The Mercers and Kochs will come to their rescue.

[DownriverDem]

9. Sadly

Yep.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. Yes!

Rep. Leonard Lance of New Jersey brought in less than $200,000 in the quarter and has less than a half-million in cash on hand in a district where advertising is prohibitively expensive.

Warms my heart!

[Bleacher Creature]

4. Cool! While polls are unreliable this far out, there are other indicators of a possible wave.

A rash of retirements is one, and lethargic fundraising another. We're starting to see some of both on the GOP side.

[crazycatlady]

5. Dem recruitment is also way up

I just hope this trickles down (I hate this term) at all levels. There's a district in NY with something like a 9 way primary. I wish some of those candidates would run for county and state office instead.

[DFW]

7. When the Kochs, Adelman and the othe right wing extremist billionaires pledge $200 million

This is not another Donald Trump scam. THEY will deliver the promised money to the Citizens United anonymous PACs, and no Republican worthy of the designation "sleazy," "incompetent" or "asshole" will find themselves financially wanting unless they are polling at under 25% after securing their party's nomination.

[DownriverDem]

8. Except

Since unlimited dark money can flow, it doesn't matter where it comes from. Besides we all know the repubs cheat.