Senate Dems outraise GOP in January

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee outraised the National Republican Senatorial Committee by $2 million in January, according to numbers provided to The Hill by both groups.

Senate Democrats raised $4.5 million in January, compared to $2.5 million reported by their Republican counterparts in the first month of the year.

{mosads}The DSCC on Friday trumpeted the haul as its best off-cycle January on record.

The NRSC is still in a better cash position overall, with $4.1 million in cash on hand, compared to $2.6 million for the DSCC.

The DSCC also has $15 million in debt, compared to only $10 million for the NRSC.

The DSCC outraised and outspent the NRSC in the 2014 election cycle, but outside conservative groups picked up the slack and helped Republicans pick up nine seats and gain control of the upper chamber.

Democrats are hopeful they can take the Senate back in 2016, when 24 Republican senators will be up for reelection, compared to 10 Democrats.

“After just a few weeks in power the Republican Senate is already trying to shut down the Department of Homeland Security and Democrats are energized and engaged in our fight to take back the Senate,” DSCC Executive Director Tom Lopach said in a statement. “Our supporters want to see a Senate that governs responsibly instead of playing political games, and we’re grateful that they’re standing with us as we lay the foundation for a successful 2016.”