FEC Releases 6-Month Fundraising Figures for Parties

WASHINGTON – During the first six months of 2005, federally registered Republican party committees raised $142.7 million and spent $98.1 million, while the Democratic committees raised $86.3 million and spent $60.2 million.  This is a 2% increase in receipts for Republicans when compared to the same period in 2003 and a 53% increase for Democrats.  When compared to the same period in 2001, the last non-presidential cycle, Republicans registered a 50% increase in federal receipts, while the Democrats showed a 113% increase. 

Each of the committees at the national level increased their fundraising during this period when compared with 2003 except for the National Republican Congressional Committee.  Receipts reported by federal committees at the state and local level declined slightly, however, for both parties in the first six months of 2005.

As a result of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA), national political parties are no longer permitted to raise soft money.   These were funds raised outside the limitations and prohibitions of the Federal Election Campaign Act.  During the first six months of 2001, the last election cycle in which national parties were permitted to raise such funds, Democrats raised $37 million in soft money while the Republicans raised $65.5 million. 

Contributions from individuals constituted the bulk of the receipts for both parties.  Democrats reported $63.6 million from individuals and $11.4 million from PACs.  Republicans reported $125.9 million from individuals and $11.7 million from PACs.  At the end of the reporting period, Democrats had $32.7 million cash on hand and debts of $4.6 million while Republicans had cash on hand of $72.5 million and debts of about $800,000. 

 Charts attached to this release provide summary data for the financial activities of the two major parties for the first six months of 2005 and comparisons for the same period in the previous eight election cycles.  Also included are charts depicting individual contributions to national party committees by contribution size on a monthly basis.  Provisions of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 require monthly reporting from national party committees, making these comparisons possible for the first time.

CHARTS

Republican Party Federal Activity [EXCEL] [PDF]

Democratic Party Federal Activity [EXCEL] [PDF]

Individual Contributions to the DNC by Month[EXCEL] [PDF]

Individual Contributions to the RNC by Month[EXCEL] [PDF]

Large Contributions from Individuals to the two National Committees by Month [EXCEL] [PDF]

Individual Contributions to the DSCC by Month[EXCEL] [PDF]

Individual Contributions to the NRSC by Month[EXCEL] [PDF]

Individual Contributions to the DCCC by Month[EXCEL] [PDF]

Individual Contributions to the NRCC by Month [EXCEL] [PDF]