Still not convinced it's a Democratic year? A Politico article published today points to newly released fundraising numbers that show once-heralded GOP House challengers sagging far behind their opponents, illuminating the difficulty Republicans across the country are having revitalizing their tarnished brand:
Several of the GOP’s most highly touted candidates posted mediocre fundraising numbers in this year’s first quarter, raising questions about their ability to seriously compete in races that were once at the top of the Republican radar screen.
First on their list? Illinois' own Steve Greenberg in the 8th Congressional District:
Businessman Steve Greenberg, running against Rep. Melissa L. Bean (D-Ill.), is perhaps the most striking example of a recruit failing to live up to expectations. Once highly touted by National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Cole, Greenberg is a candidate Republicans hoped could run a strong campaign against Bean, fueled with his own money.
But Greenberg raised only $113,000 for the quarter and is nearly broke, with just $5,000 left in his campaign account. By contrast, Bean has $1.35 million in her campaign account. Given the financial disparity, the prospect of Greenberg being able to run a competitive race looks dimmer by the day.
Bean's not slowing down, either. FEC records showed that the Barrington Democrat took home a whopping $352,246 between Jan. 17 and March 31 -- more than three times what Greenberg raised. The article also highlights the race in Illinois' 10th Congressional District where, as we earlier noted, the candidates first quarter fundraising figures were more comparable:
Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) continues to lead Republicans in fundraising as he prepares for a tough reelection bid against Democrat Dan Seals. Kirk raised more than $738,000 in the quarter and now has nearly $2.3 million cash on hand. Seals raised $613,000 for the quarter and banked about $750,000.
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