RNC Fundraising Shatters Another Record, DNC Posts Worst November in 10 Years

In this March 3, 2016 file photo, RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, then the Michigan Republican Party chair, speaks before a Republican presidential primary debate in Detroit. (Photo: AP)

The Republican National Committee (RNC) announced it raised $8.2 million in November, setting another record and bringing their overall haul in 2017 to $121.4 million. The $8.2 million in monthly fundraising receipts is the most the RNC has ever posted for a November in a non-election year, and the 8th record-breaking month set under the new chairwoman chosen by President Donald Trump.

“As President Trump follows through on his campaign promises, our grassroots support continues to grow across the America,” RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in a statement to PPD. “As I travel the country, I see how enthusiastic the hardworking American families are about receiving tax cuts, better jobs, and higher wages and Republicans are committed to creating jobs and spurring economic growth.”

Chairwoman McDaniel was among the first and strongest supporters of President Trump, and under her leadership the RNC is benefiting from small donations out of his supporters. The money is largely being used for the RNC’s permanent field program, a ground-game operation that promotes both candidates and policies.

“November’s record-breaking $8.2 million is a continuation of the broad support the Republican Party has enjoyed since the Inauguration of President Trump,” said RNC Finance Chairman Steve Wynn. “With passage of the upcoming tax bill we expect even more Americans will recognize and celebrate the simple fact that the President is a man of action for the working people of America who will now keep more of their own money.”

While the RNC is funding their $200 -plus million data operation investment, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) posted its worst November in 10 years. The DNC raised just $5.7 million, the worst since a $4.4 haul in November 2007, bringing their total year-to-date haul to just $60.7 million. It’s almost identical to the $5.9 million the DNC raised in November 2009, a year before the party suffered historic losses in the midterm elections.

The DNC was run into the ground financially by Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who was ousted during the 2016 Democratic National Convention. WikiLeaks revealed she had steered the DNC in favor of Hillary Clinton, who assumed control of their finances even as longtime ally Donna Brazile took over as interim chair.

The new team promised to improve Democrats’ fortunes.

“Well, I got there on March 1,” DNC Chair Tom Perez said in June when confronted with anemic fundraising numbers for that quarter. In August, Deputy Chair Keith Ellison, D-Minn., promised he would have “some really good reports to share in the weeks to come.”

But thus far, those promises have gone unfulfilled.

The RNC has $39.9 million cash on hand and no debt, at all. The DNC has just $6.3 million cash on hand and more than a third ($2.6 million) of that amount in debt.