If Democrats lead fundraising, why say they lack campaign money?

[AviatorTom]

In the Senate, the top 10 candidates raising the most money in 2026 are all Democrats, while 8 of the top 10 in the House are Democrats.

If this chart is correct (it says it's based on the US Federal Election Commission), then why are the Democrats complaining they don't have the money to campaign against the Republicans?

[Ill_made_Knight]

This is misleading. Yes Talarico and Ossoff in particular are fund raising juggernauts.
Texas (my state) has reportedly had over $500 million spent. You note Talarico at $146 m. This has been raised promarily through small individual donation. Elon Musk has personally poured $168m to $190m into super-pacs directly supporting Ken Paxton. Note that Super pacs may spend as much as they like on any campaign they like and it's all perfectly legal per the citizens united supreme court decision of 2010. No reason to hide what's happening and they don't bother. So to be fair Paxton is recieving a lot of money that he's not even working for, Elon Musk is trying to buy he and Greg Abbott into office. Notably Musk launches his SpaceX rockets from a Texas beach (Boca Chica) which is a public beach, he doesn't own it, rent it... whatever. Tesla headquarters is in Texas. He recieves heavy subsidies from the State of Texas (Greg Abbott) and doesn't want to lose his cash cow. The money he'll earn from screwing over Texans yes, data centers as well, far outweighs the pocket change (for him) he'll spend buying government officials who will then "owe" him. Essentially you have Talarico's ability to raise funds vs. the bankroll of Elon Musks pocketbook in one of the most expensive campaigns ever something over $500m already being spent. This makes it the most expensive non-presidential campaign ever. Between Musk and others such as Harlan Crow this how Texas stays locked down red over time.

[Ill_made_Knight]

Find a chart that shows how much dark money is being put into R campaigns by billionaires and super pacs and we could have a fair discussion, there are many ways to warp a story.
www.brennancenter.org/.../big-money-breaks-records-boosts-gop-5-things-know-about-midterms

[exitseven]

yes but Ken Paxton will keep the border closed. It pays for itself.

[Ill_made_Knight]

@exitseven that is not the senators job. That would be the governor. Besides, you say that like the border is closed and no one is getting in right now. that's a lie. People still come and go. So you support electing a man who got a child molester off with 30 days time served and not having to register as a sex offender? Search Adam Hoffman. where is brother Ken right now? Europe with his mistress? You understand his wife is divorcing him on biblical grounds, AND he was impeached by his own party here in Texas for his out of control corruption. If you have anything real on Talarico please post it right here... reciepts sir. I can provide on any of the statements about Paxton.

[exitseven]

The senate and the house can defund ICE and Border Patrol and dismantle the deportation infrastructure that Presidnt Trump has put in place.

[Ill_made_Knight]

@exitseven Yes and Talarico would be one of 100. The governor has a much more direct impact *see buoys wrapped in razor wire causing fatalities in the Rio Grande* There is no reason effective border control has to be barbaric, but tRump's minions appear to revel in the violence.
Anyway back to the point. The whole idiocy of spending was exascerbated by the citizens united decision. Now we have Elon Musk digging into his wallet just as much as he likes to try and keep his partners in crime in power. What a deal... Abbott provides billions in subsidies for a little election support. Lets him use a public Texas beach rent free for launching his rockets, and once the election is over the two of them will resume jamming unwanted data centers up people's asses. Add on Tesla's headquarters recieving even more subsidies.
There's only one thing this regime does ecxeedingly well... grift... separating the American public from their money... They need to go. Every R is a life support system for the parasite in chief.

[Ill_made_Knight]

Thanks Tom

[DryGermanGuy]

These sums are absolutely mindboggling for me as a German. Here in state elections, it's on average ~35.000 € spent per candidate, in federal elections it's 15-25 million for a whole national campaign with hundreds of candidates. 😳😳😳

[purplepoppy]

Why do they actually need all that money in the first place? Think of how many problems could be dealt with if the billions raised went into projects rather than ad campaigns.

[Ill_made_Knight]

you have to get into office to do programs, and Elon Musk is trying to buy the seat your running for. It's legalized corruption, and you are correct, it's the definition of wasteful

[MrChinaski]

Well, the advertising slots were going to happen anyway and the fact that some candidate bought them is just a financial transfer. The only resource cost is what is invested in making the ads.

[MrChinaski]

You can't feed starving orphans in Africa slightly cheaper advertising slots.

[sage2021]

Because not only are they the party of the insane, but they're poor too!

What? Where's George Soros and his checkbook $?

[sage2021]

Thank you for the MHO 🙂🧡

[OlderAndWiser]

Democrats love to manipulate public opinion by portraying themselves as the disadvantaged underdogs.

[MrChinaski]

Well, there's Musk's $300 million. And then money Trump is raising centrally, in part to advertise himself... apparently nobody told him what 'mid-term' means.

I would suggest you look for a more comprehensive assessment.

[exitseven]

The DNC is still paying off Kamala's bill from 2024. Most of the money the dems are using comes from foreign countries. They are bought and paid for by our enemies.

[Shiprex]

That fund raising should be seen as a sign the rich aren't falling for the TangoTwat in charge

[LiamS95]

Just look in their personal bank accounts that's where it usually goes.

[Kelly6]

@AviatorTom that is not close to what Elon gives to republicans

[Kelly6]

@AviatorTom
Oh , where are my manors,
and foreign funds , lol

[Massageman]

Maybe because they lie?