Congressional Campaign Receipts Reach $653 Million

For Immediate Release:                                                                                             Contact:   Ian Stirton
September 26, 2000                                                                                                                      Ron Harris
                                                                                                                                                        Sharon Snyder
                                                                                                                                                        Kelly Huff


 
CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN RECEIPTS REACH $653 MILLION

WASHINGTON - Congressional candidates raised a record $652.7 million between January 1, 1999, and June 30, 2000, according to a summary of reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.  This reflects a 35% increase in fundraising when compared to the same 18-month period in the previous election cycle.  
	
	The increase in fundraising was apparent for both House and Senate candidates.  An analysis shows that House candidates raised $393 million, up 34% over the same period in 1997-98, and spent $233.3 million, a 27% increase.  Senate candidates raised $259.7 million, an increase of 36% over the same period in the previous election cycle, and spent $167.8 million, an increase of 42%. Cycle-to-cycle comparisons of Senate activity are difficult because, unlike House races, different seats in different states are up for election each cycle.   

	Further examination of FEC statistics shows that fundraising was up for both Republican and Democratic House candidates when compared to the same period in the previous election cycle.  Republican House candidates raised $205.4 million, an increase of 32% compared to the same period in 1997-98.  Democratic House candidates raised $185.6 million, an increase of 36%.

	Median receipts for all House candidates, except Republican challengers and  Democratic open seat races, have risen, as indicated in the chart on page 5.   Republican incumbents increased their median receipts by 21%, Democratic incumbents 27%.      

	Contributions from individuals constituted the largest single source of funds for candidates, totaling $368.1 million, or 56% of all receipts.  PACs and other committees have contributed $155.6 million, representing 24% of receipts.  Candidates provided $98.2 million or 15% of all receipts.  

 

Information provided in this report includes:

***Overall summary of Senate and House activity based on political party and candidate  status                            (Incumbent, challenger and open seat)  
***18-month comparison of  Senate
 and  House activity for 1990 through 2000.
***Median receipts for House candidates and
 number of candidates who reported receipts of at least $50,000 by June 30 of the election year, by candidate
status. 
***Six-year financial summaries for  current senate candidates.
***18-month financial summaries of each  House race. 
***Rankings of Senate and House candidates for the following categories: receipts, contributions from individuals contributions from PACs, disbursements, cash-on-hand, and debts.  
Top 50 Senate - Receipts
blockquote
  blockquote
    blockquote
Contributions from
Individuals
Contributions from PAC''''s
Disbursements
Cash-on-Hand
Debts
    <lockquote>
  <lockquote>
<lockquote>
Top 50 House - Receipts
blockquote
  blockquote
    blockquote
Contributions from
Individuals
Contributions from PAC''''s
Disbursements
Cash-on-Hand
Debts
    <lockquote>
  <lockquote>
<lockquote>
 
This release and the data contained in it are also available on the FEC’s web page at http://www.fec.gov under News Releases or Campaign Finance Reports and Data.