NRCC Asks Members to Support Newly Competitive Races
House Republican leaders told Members on Thursday that the expanding field of newly competitive districts means capturing the majority is within reach, but the GOP campaign committee needs more funds to participate in those contests.
“We need money now,” National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (Texas) told GOP lawmakers, according to GOP sources listening to a Members-only call.
Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) said on the call, “It’s time to be a hero,” GOP sources said.
The NRCC announced Thursday that it intends to spend $50 million in more than 65 races. The GOP needs a net gain of at least 39 seats to win the majority.
Hensarling added that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is continuing to outraise Republicans.
The DCCC brought in nearly $16 million in September, ending the month with $41.6 million in the bank. The NRCC raised $11.2 million in September and had $19 million in cash on hand as of Sept. 30. That was the NRCC’s highest monthly total since 2006 and was thanks in part to more than $5 million in Member donations.
“If a wave is forming, we have more surfers than surfboards,” Hensarling said, according to several GOP sources.
Kyle Trygstad contributed to this report.