This cycle’s Senate races seem to be getting off to a slower start than usual. The answer as to why that is may be as simple as the fast pace set by the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. By comparison, everything else feels a bit sluggish.

The reports for the first fundraising quarter of the cycle are in, and contributions from January 1 to March 31 seem a bit lower compared to recent cycles. Only five incumbents – all Republicans – raised over $2 million in the quarter: U.S. Sens. Martha McSally in Arizona, Cory Gardner in Colorado, Mitch McConnell in Kentucky, Lindsey Graham in South Carolina, and John Cornyn in Texas. A number of Democratic incumbents raised over $1 million, but less than $2 million: U.S. Sens. Doug Jones of Alabama, Gary Peters of Michigan, Tina Smith of Minnesota, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, and Mark Warner of Virginia. These Democratic incumbents are all in competition with Democrats seeking their party’s presidential nomination. According to an analysis by Advertising Analytics, Democrats posted a combined $95 million cash-on-hand in

More from the Cook Political Report

Amy
First Person
Cook Politcal Logo