POLITICO: “Battleground Republicans are in a money slump”

"It's almost like the balance of power in the House of Representatives could be decided here."

"To have so many candidates exceed that amount speaks to the game of financial one-upmanship playing out in swing races in the Central Valley, Southern California and the Inland Empire."

20 days out from Election Day, California Democratic challengers are continuing to lap vulnerable GOP opponents in Q3 fundraising, presenting "a troubling sign for Republicans, who were already worried about losing," according to new reporting from POLITICO.

As John Duarte, David Valadao, Mike Garcia, Ken Calvert, Michelle Steel, and Scott Baugh have exemplified the GOP's self-serving, anti-abortion majority, the latest fundraising numbers show that Democratic candidates are financially well-positioned to make their case to voters in the homestretch.

To add insult to injury, "at least four Democrats running in the state's half-dozen top swing districts have surpassed $5 million in total fundraising," highlighting just how ready California voters are to send these vulnerable Republican extremists packing.

DCCC Spokesperson Dan Gottlieb:
"This war chest in the West confirms what we already knew to be true: the road to the House majority runs through California - and Democrats are ready to take it back."

POLITICO: Battleground Republicans are in a money slump
Dustin Gardiner and Lara Korte | October 16, 2024

• Republican incumbents in California's key battleground House districts are struggling to match their challengers' fundraising steam, new filings show.

• At least four Democrats running in the state's half-dozen top swing districts have surpassed $5 million in total fundraising this cycle, according to third quarter FEC filings.

• To have so many candidates exceed that amount speaks to the game of financial one-upmanship playing out in swing races in the Central Valley, Southern California and the Inland Empire. Democrats saw a major surge in late-summer fundraising as they dramatically increased their hauls from the second quarter, as Playbook previously reported.

• Last night was FEC's last quarterly deadline before Election Day, and the filings show the money race in most swing districts has already surpassed 2022 totals. It's almost like the balance of power in the House of Representatives could be decided here.

• DESERT SHELLACKING - Democrat Will Rollins has been among the most prolific fundraisers nationally this cycle, putting Rep. Ken Calvert, the longest-serving member of California's GOP delegation, to shame. Rollins has raked in nearly $10.7 million in the rematch contest with Calvert. The incumbent, who beat Rollins by slim margin in 2022, has raised about $7.3 million total… Each has close to $4 million.

• It's a troubling sign for Republicans, who were already worried about losing the Inland Empire seat. Last weekend, former President Donald Trump gave Calvert a boost by holding a Coachella Valley rally at the edge of his district.

• SANTA CLARITA NON-DIET - Republicans also have cause to worry about the fundraising gap between Democrat George Whitesides and GOP Rep. Mike Garcia. Whitesides has raised more than $8.6 million total - which includes at least $1.3 of his own money - and has far more cash left in the bank. Garcia has raised $5.7 million. He's been swamped on the airwaves in the district, which encompasses Santa Clarita and a swath of north LA county.

• CENTRAL VALLEY SURGE - The disparity isn't quite as pronounced for Republican incumbents David Valadao and John Duarte in the Central Valley, but it's still significant. Democrat Rudy Salas has raised $5.4 million for his rematch with Valadao, compared with $4.4 million for his opponent, and Salas has more cash left. Likewise, Democrat Adam Gray has raked in more than $4.8 million compared to Duarte's just under $4 million.

• TROUBLE IN OC - The picture is a bit different in the race to fill Rep. Katie Porter's open Orange County seat. Democratic state Sen. Dave Min has brought in nearly $5.7 million this cycle, compared with just over $4 million for state Republican Scott Baugh.