RSLC, SGLF Eclipse Cycle Fundraising Record with One Quarter Left to Go

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After bringing in $18.5 million during the third quarter fundraising period, the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) and its strategic policy partner, the State Government Leadership Foundation (SGLF), have now raised more this cycle than any other in their history. The previous record for the groups was set when they combined to raise $67.9 million from January of 2019 through December of 2020. 

“Breaking our cycle fundraising record with three months to go is a tremendous achievement and is further proof that the stakes for holding the line in the states this year for Republicans are higher than they have ever been,” said RSLC President Dee Duncan. “But our historic haul is still only a fraction of what the constellation of national liberal special interest groups continue to pour into state races, leaving us with a significant spending disadvantage on television in key states. Our team is determined to run through the tape in these final weeks to raise the resources necessary to help Republicans fight back and continue holding Democrats accountable for their failures.” 

The RSLC’s digital fundraising program again delivered impressive results between July and September, raising a third quarter record of $2.6 million. The committee’s average online donation was $25.65. 

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FUNDRAISING REPORTING FAQ

There are many misconceptions about how the RSLC’s fundraising numbers compare to what the Democrats raise and the historical context surrounding spending by national groups in state races. In order to provide some clarity on these issues, RSLC Communications Director Andrew Romeo provided answers to some frequently asked questions. 

Question: This historic haul must mean you are continuing to outpace your Democrat counterpart - the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) - and state Republicans will have a fundraising advantage in 2022, right? 

Answer: No. While it’s true the RSLC consistency outraises the DLCC each quarter, comparing the two groups apples to apples is useless. For one – other than when they dropped six-figures on Virginia Democrat Hala Ayala’s failed bid for lieutenant governor in 2021 – the DLCC spends only on state legislative races, but the RSLC has a broader portfolio that includes electing lieutenant governors, secretaries of state, statewide agriculture officials, and state court judges. Furthermore, Democrats have far more national outside spending organizations that play in state races than Republicans. This constellation of national liberal groups has already spent over $34 million in state races this cycle. The full breakdown on that spending by organization and state is below. 

Question: But the chart above shows the DLCC is most influential national Democrat group when it comes to state races so would that be who RSLC should be compared to in that context? 

Answer: Actually…based on a New York Times report from late September, the States Project will overtake the DLCC as the top spender among national Democratic outside groups in 2022 ($60 million v $50 million). 

Question: But it’s fair to say this surge in spending from national Democrats on state legislative races is significant given they have largely overlooked state races in the past, right? 

Answer: Incorrect. Just because Democrats haven’t been successful in state legislative races in recent years doesn’t mean they haven’t had enough resources. Democrats have significantly outspent Republicans in every recent election cycle. They spent over $700 million in 2020 and still net-lost two chambers in New Hampshire and outspent us 2:1 in Virginia in 2021 and still lost control of the House of Delegates. In 2020, the constellation of national outside groups spent $167 million on state legislative races. 

Question: But if national outside groups spent $167 million in 2020 on state legislative races, how come they have only spent $16.3 million this time around according to your chart above. 

Answer: These groups traditionally do the bulk of their spending during the final month of the campaign. We know the money is coming because the DLCC and the States Project alone have pledged to spend at least $110 million on state legislative races this year. Look for more updates from us in the coming weeks on major spending dumps from the national liberal money machine. 

Question: So why do Democrats continuously complain they are outspent in state races if they are not? 

Answer: It’s their tradition unlike any other. They do it to smoke-signal to their liberal billionaire donors who they hope will bail state Democrats out for their unpopular socialist agenda and to lull GOP donors into complacency. Our partners won’t be fooled and we’re going to run through the finish line. 

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