House Republicans feeling 'unstoppable' after first-quarter fundraising haul

House Republicans have raised $36.7 million during the first quarter of this year as they gear up to expand their majority in next year’s elections.

The National Republican Congressional Committee touted the fundraising haul on Tuesday as record-shattering, and the strongest first quarter haul in an election cycle off-year in the organization’s history.

Republicans maintained their slim majority in the House during the 2024 election cycle, which saw the GOP score a trifecta in Washington for the first time since President Trump’s first term. They see the early fundraising success as a key marker in their quest to hold onto power in the lower chamber for the upcoming midterm cycle next year.

“The NRCC is on offense and fueled by unstoppable momentum and widespread support,” said Mike Marinella, spokesman for the NRCC, the House GOP’s campaign arm. “While out-of-touch House Democrats are fighting amongst themselves, we’re charging toward 2026 with unmatched energy, ready to grow our House majority and continue delivering results for the American people.”

The first-quarter numbers were bolstered by a strong March, where the NRCC raked in $21.5 million, another record-breaking month. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has not yet filed its quarterly summary but has until April 20 to do so.

DCCC spokesperson Viet Shelton told The Washington Times that the 2026 election cycle would be “a referendum on who is going to lower costs and help improve the lives of everyday Americans, not the wealthy and well-connected.”

“By all accounts, House Republicans are failing miserably and it’s why House Democrats are favored to retake the majority,” he said. “House Democrats have the better message, stronger candidates, more resources, and a favorable political environment as we go into 2026.”

Democrats beat their counterparts across the aisle in both January and February, however. The DCCC in January raised about $9 million compared to the NRCC’s $6 million. In February, Democrats raked in $11.1 million while Republicans scored $9.2 million.

Both campaign committees also laid out aggressive roadmaps for seats they believe they can flip.

The Democrats last week unveiled a 35-seat target list for the 2026 midterm election cycle that included seven seats held by Reps. Max Miller, Mike Carey and Mike Turner, all of Ohio; Cory Mills of Florida; Andy Ogles of Tennessee; Andy Barr of Kentucky; and Ashley Hinson of Iowa, all in seats that the Cook Political Report rates “Solid Republican.”

Still, Democrats only need a net gain of three seats to recapture the majority in next year’s election. Last year, they managed one net gain in the House and lost the lower chamber by a slim margin of roughly 7,000 votes.

Republicans have a 26-district target list that includes 13 Democratic lawmakers in districts that backed Mr. Trump last year. Many of those lawmakers are in the DCCC’s Frontline program for incumbents facing tough races.

Republicans believe that the coalition of voters attracted by President Trump last year who typically vote Democratic, including Latinos and working-class voters, will stand by the GOP in the midterms and help them expand their majority.