On Monday we got our first complete look at what US Senate fundraising looks like heading into this crucial election year—and no surprise, the gender giving gap is bigger than ever.
Let’s first look just at Q1 contributions for the four Democrat-held seats the Cook Political Report says are toss ups:
- Ruben Gallego, Arizona: $7.2 million
- Jon Tester, Montana: $7.2 million
- Jacky Rosen, Nevada: $4 million
- Sherrod Brown, Ohio: $9.9 million
Jacky raised the least last quarter and for the cycle, even though some factors that could make her race less expensive also apply to others. She’s not running in the only state Biden won in 2020 (he also won Arizona) or the least expensive media market (that’s Billings, MT!). Sen. Tammy Baldwin raised $4.7 million in Q1, which also trails the three men in the most competitive seats.
Women in competitive primaries in safe D seats are faring even worse.
Angela Alsobrooks has raised $6.2 million for the cycle, including $1.2 million last quarter. David Trone has raised far less—but is self-funding to the tune of $42 million for the cycle, including $18.5 million last quarter. Pre-primary reports from California also reveal that Adam Schiff raised more than Katie Porter and Barbara Lee combined in January and February.
And in two likely R races to flip Senate seats—Texas and Florida—Colin Allred is outraising Debbie Mucarsel-Powell 3-to-1.