Fundraising hauls hint at 2014 hot spots and trouble spots for Dems and GOP

The second-quarter fundraising reports for Senate and House candidates are mostly in. 

{mosads}And while it’s too early to write poor money raisers off, or crown fundraising powerhouses with front-runner status, the reports offer a clear snapshot of who’s up and who’s down in many of the most competitive 2014 races. 

FUNDRAISING WINNERS

CORY BOOKER AND SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-Ky):

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory Booker (D) were among their respective parties’ most prolific fundraisers, according to campaign disclosures.

McConnell brought in just under $2.3 million and had $9.6 million cash on hand for his race against Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, whom Democrats believe can make the race competitive. 

Booker raised $4.6 million over the last three months to lead among Democrats. He had $4.5 million cash on hand for his bid for New Jersey’s open Senate seat. 

Booker is currently the heavy favorite to win a special Senate election in New Jersey this fall, and he could use his funds to help out more vulnerable Democrats with contributions or fundraising support in 2014. 

McConnell narrowly trailed Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who raised $2.3 million. 

MIKE ROUNDS 

Former South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds (R), who is running to replace retiring Sen. Tim Johnson (D), brought in more than $600,000. It’s a significant improvement over the $184,000 he raised in the first quarter. 

The only announced Democrat in the race, Rick Weiland, is one of the second quarter’s fundraising losers. He raised $105,000 in about seven weeks and loaned himself another $100,000 to get his campaign started, South Dakota blog Political Smokeout reported. 

REP. BILL CASSIDY (R-La.)

Though Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) had a successful second quarter, her most prominent Republican challenger remained competitive in fundraising. Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) brought in $1.1 million and now has $3.2 million cash on hand.

The second-quarter haul — more than double what Cassidy received in the first quarter — indicates Republican donors are starting to tune into one of 2014’s top races.

MIA LOVE 

Mia Love (R) is clearly ready for her rematch against Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah), raising more than $200,000 in the second quarter. The Saratoga Springs mayor brought in $476,000 and now has $456,000 cash on hand. 

Matheson took in only $257,000 for the second quarter. 

BOB DOLD 

Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) raised a strong $387,000 for his reelection bid, but he was overshadowed by former Rep. Bob Dold’s (R) $546,000. Dold has $616,000 cash on hand and is well-positioned for a do-over of one of the tighter races of 2012. 

RO KHANNA 

Silicon Valley Democrat Ro Khanna became one of the top House fundraisers this quarter with a $1.05 million haul. He’s mounting a primary challenge against Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.), who raised a solid $356,000. But Honda only has $375,000 cash on hand to Khanna’s $1.75 million.

REP. JOHN BARROW (D-Ga.)

Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.) raised $484,000 in the second quarter and now has $829,000 cash on hand, setting him up comfortably for one of 2014’s top fights. His two announced 2014 opponents have raised fractions of what Barrow did in the second quarter.

RED-STATE DEMOCRATS

Along with Landrieu, Sens. Kay Hagan (N.C.), Mark Begich (Alaska) and Mark Pryor (Ark.) both posted strong second-quarter hauls, positioning themselves well for what will be the nation’s top Senate fights in 2014. Begich raised just under $1 million, while Pryor brought in $1.2 million. Hagan hit the $2 million mark, and Landrieu raised $1.7 million.

FUNDRAISING LOSERS

NORTH CAROLINA SENATE REPUBLICANS

State House Speaker Thom Tillis (R) only raised about $300,000 since he entered the race in early June to challenge Hagan.

Republicans note Tillis had little time to pick up the fundraising pace and was busy with his work in the North Carolina House. 

Another potential challenger to challenge Hagan, Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.), only raised $158,000 this quarter, a paltry sum for a potential Senate candidate. 

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), another potential contender, also posted a House-sized haul of $225,000.

REP. PAUL BROUN (R-Ga.)

Rep. Paul Broun (D-Ga.) raised only $385,000 in the second quarter for his Georgia Senate campaign. That was dwarfed by GOP Senate primary opponent Rep. Jack Kingston’s $800,000. Rep. Phil Gingrey, also in the race, raised $415,000.

REP. COLLEEN HANABUSA (D-Hawaii)

Incumbent Sen. Brian Schatz (D) again hammered Democratic Senate challenger Colleen Hanabusa (D-Hawaii), bringing in $911,000 in the second quarter to her $500,000.

Hanabusa has picked up the pace since her first quarter tally of $229,000.

JOE BACA

Former Rep. Joe Baca (D-Calif.) raised only $38,000 in the second quarter and closed out June with just $27,000 cash on hand. He’s facing three other Democrats in the race for Rep. Gary Miller’s (R) seat.  The candidate endorsed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Redlands Mayor Pete Aguilar, raised $302,000 — more than the entire field.

REP. COLLIN PETERSON (D-Minn.)

Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) is a top target for Republicans, and his $94,000 in fundraising this past quarter is a red flag. It’s a little more than half of his first quarter total. But another Minnesota colleague targeted by the GOP provides insight into where Peterson’s fundraising should be — Rep. John Kline (R) raised $483,000. 

REP. BILL YOUNG (R-Fla.)

Rep. Bill Young (R-Fla.) raised $86,000 this past quarter — a little more than half of the $154,000 the only Democrat in the race, attorney Jessica Ehrlich, brought in. 

He’s got nearly double her cash on hand, however, with $243,000 to $131,000 for Ehrlich. Young defeated Ehrlich by 15 points in 2012, but the early fundraising failure may be an indication he’s in for a tougher fight this cycle.

REP. SCOTT DESJARLAIS (R-Tenn.) 

Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.) is already facing two primary opponents, both of whom outraised him in the second quarter. He brought in only $39,000 and now has $88,000 cash on hand for his reelection fight. His staff insists he’s in the race for 2014, but his poor second-quarter showing has sparked retirement rumors.

–This piece has been corrected to reflect Weiland’s $105,000 fundraising haul.