Democrats pile up cash edge in key Senate races
New FEC filings show Democratic Senate candidates leading Republicans in fundraising across the most competitive 2026 contests.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
Democratic Senate candidates are swimming in campaign cash in some of the cycle’s toughest races, according to Federal Election Commission filings reviewed by NBC News.
Across the 11 most competitive Senate contests, major Democratic candidates brought in $104 million in the latest quarter, compared with $35 million for Republicans, NBC News reported. Democrats also ended the period with $129 million available to spend, while Republicans had $61 million.
The money chase matters because Democrats are trying to net four seats to win control of the Senate. The filings cover cash on hand as of June 30.
Ossoff leads a big Democratic money gap
Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff posted one of the clearest advantages. The Democratic incumbent had $42.6 million in his campaign account at the end of the quarter, according to FEC figures cited by NBC News.
His Republican opponent, Rep. Mike Collins, had $2 million after coming through a long primary fight.
The Democratic edge also showed up in North Carolina and Texas. Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, had $20.7 million banked, while Republican Michael Whatley had $3.5 million.
In Texas, Democrat James Talarico had $21.5 million on hand. Republican Ken Paxton had about $1.8 million, according to the FEC data reported by NBC News.
Ohio’s race also showed a Democratic cash lead. Former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown had $16.2 million available, compared with $9.4 million for Republican Sen. Jon Husted.
Some Republicans still have more to spend
The filings were not all blue-team bragging rights. NBC News reported that several Republican candidates finished the quarter with more cash on hand than their rivals, even in cases where they were outraised.
- In Alaska, Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan had $8.3 million, while Democrat Mary Peltola had $6.1 million.
- In Iowa, Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson had $6.7 million, compared with $2.4 million for Democrat Josh Turek.
- In Michigan, former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers had $5.7 million. Democrats Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed had $3.4 million and $2.7 million, respectively.
NBC News also reported that Nebraska Sen. Pete Ricketts, a Republican, both outraised independent Dan Osborn and had more money left to spend.
In Maine, Republican Sen. Susan Collins ended the quarter with $11 million on hand while Democrats work to choose a new nominee after Graham Platner’s exit from the race, according to NBC News.
Democrats raise in red states, too
Democratic fundraising strength was not limited to battlegrounds. NBC News reported that Democrats running in traditionally Republican states also posted notable totals.
Alexander Vindman in Florida, Adam Hamilton in Kansas and Scott Colom in Mississippi each outraised their Republican opponents during the quarter, according to the report.
In South Carolina, Democrat Annie Andrews raised $4.3 million as the race takes shape following Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death. In Montana, independent Seth Bodnar outraised Republican Kurt Alme, NBC News reported.
The cash edge could still face limits. NBC News noted that a recent Supreme Court campaign-finance ruling could weaken some Democratic advantages as the 2026 Senate fight builds.
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.