Democratic Challengers Lead Federal Fundraising Results

Oct 26, 2018 | Campaign Finance

Pre-general campaign finance reports were due today (Thursday) from federal candidates for the general election. These reports include contributions received and expenditures made during the first 17 days of this month, a relatively short period that often produces minimal contributions and hefty expenditures. Our Crib Sheet has been updated to reflect these results.

In the U.S. Senate race, U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-El Paso) out-raised U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R), $8.3M to $4.6M, and outspent the incumbent, $17.4M to $9.7M. O’Rourke holds a $10.3M to $6.7M advantage in cash on hand.

Democratic challengers posted the four highest fundraising numbers for the period among House candidates.

Eleven candidates raised at least $125K:

  • $715,263 – Lizzie Pannill Fletcher (D), challenger in CD7
  • $698,563 – Gina Ortiz Jones (D), challenger in CD23
  • $637,891 – Colin Allred (D), challenger in CD32
  • $514,758 – M.J. Hegar (D), challenger in CD31
  • $342,618 – U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Dallas) in CD32
  • $219,566 – Joseph Kopser (D) in open CD21
  • $214,459 – U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-San Antonio) in CD23
  • $160,616 – Sri Preston Kulkarni (D), challenger in CD22
  • $157,984 – U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands), in CD8
  • $138,447 – U.S. Rep. John Culberson (R-Houston) in CD7
  • $127,876 – Dan Crenshaw (R) in open CD2

Thirteen candidates spent at least $300K:

  • $1,592,789 – Lizzie Pannill Fletcher (D), challenger in CD7
  • $1,373,541 – U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Dallas) in CD32
  • $1,220,548 – Colin Allred (D), challenger in CD32
  • $1,017,021 – Gina Ortiz Jones (D), challenger in CD23
  • $981,697 – M.J. Hegar (D), challenger in CD31
  • $862,436 – U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-San Antonio) in CD23
  • $757,629 – U.S. Rep. John Culberson (R-Houston) in CD7
  • $483,495 – Joseph Kopser (D) in open CD21
  • $442,151 – U.S. Rep. Roger Williams (R-Austin) in CD25
  • $375,656 – Sen. Van Taylor (R-Plano) in open CD3
  • $341,425 – Todd Litton (D), challenger in open CD2
  • $337,103 – Chip Roy (R) in open CD21
  • $303,312 – U.S. Rep. John Carter (R-Round Rock) in CD31

From this point forward, federal candidates must report contributions within contributions within 48 hours of receiving them.

State and legislative candidates’ next campaign finance reporting deadline is Monday. These reports will include contributions received and expenditures made between September 28 and October 27.

©2018 Texas Election Source LLC