Since Sept. 1, Republican groups and megadonors have begun spending in at least 39 House races after internal polling suggested districts once considered safe may be vulnerable in the Nov. 3 midterms, three GOP operatives said. Many candidates still lead in public polls.
Republicans hold a 218-214 House majority, with one independent caucusing with them and two vacancies; Democrats need a net gain of at least four seats to control the chamber next year. Party operatives said leaders worry voters may use the election to express dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s policies. A Republican House campaign aide described conditions in Iowa, Kansas and other Midwest states as “dire” amid rising diesel, gas, energy and fertilizer costs.
Over the three weeks through Friday, Republican-leaning super PACs spent roughly $309.7 million, nearly twice the $174.2 million going to help Democratic candidates, FEC data show. Republican groups also reserved at least $888 million in advertising for coming weeks, compared with at least $666 million for Democrats. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said the GOP push showed the party faced trouble in the midterms; Democrats acknowledged their funding disadvantage.
