The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and National Republican Senatorial Committee both turned in strong fundraising in March, but the DSCC outraised its GOP counterpart by about $1.6 million, according to figures released by the committees today.

The DSCC raised $7.4 million and ended March with nearly $24 million on hand. The NRSC raised $5.8 million and had nearly $20 million in the bank on March 31.

The NRSC raised $15 million in the first quarter and raised about $1.5 million more last month than it did in March 2008, the last presidential cycle. The DSCC announced it had its best three-month fundraising haul ever, bringing in a total of $17.7 million, but its strong March was still off-pace from March 2008 when the committee brought in around $8 million.

There are about a dozen competitive Senate seats out of 33 up this cycle, and heavy outside spending is already under way in some states. The NRSC has tipped its spending strategy hand with $25 million in TV airtime reservations in six states. Republicans need to net four seats to take the majority.