RNC raises over $10M in November as war chest nears $90M

The Republican National Committee raised $10.2 million in November, according to figures shared exclusively with The Post, continuing a momentum-filled year as the party builds toward midterm and 2026 races. The fund-raising total for the year now stands at about $156.3 million, with more than $89.9 million in cash on hand as of Nov. 30, according to Federal Election Commission filings obtained by The Post. The numbers underscore the RNC’s emphasis on shoring up a robust financial foundation to defend and expand Republican majorities in Congress ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The party’s leadership has framed the cash on hand as a key asset in reaching voters nationwide and supporting candidates through a crowded primary and general election cycle.

The November haul comes as the Democratic National Committee trails in cash reserves, though the DNC still reports fundraising activity across the year. The DNC had roughly $18 million in cash on hand as of Oct. 31 and ended October with about $23.1 million raised for the month. In contrast, the RNC raised $14.7 million in October and held about $91.2 million in cash on hand at month’s end. FEC filings show the DNC carrying more than $15 million in campaign debt during the period, while the RNC reported no debt. The posture of the two parties’ treasuries has been a talking point as both sides prepare for highly competitive congressional races in upcoming cycles.

The RNC’s fundraising advance is framed by leadership comments stressing that the cash will be used to support and defend Republicans’ majorities and fund a nationwide outreach effort. RNC chairman Joe Gruters said the party would use the resources to help Republican candidates win and to reach voters across the country, with involvement from President Trump and RNC finance chair JD Vance. The statement reflected a view that a strong fundraising base will enable the party to compete in key states and districts as the 2026 midterms approach. The notes about the cash on hand and fundraising pace also align with the broader strategy of focusing on issues like the economy, inflation, and public safety, while emphasizing the party’s ability to respond quickly to political developments across the country.

The fundraising push is intertwined with Trump’s ongoing messaging efforts, including events designed to accentuate his economic agenda. In December, Trump kicked off a messaging campaign at a casino in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, and he is slated to participate in a Friday night event in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The North Carolina stop is part of the broader effort to mobilize donors and voters as the party weighs how to compete in battleground states and expand the map in 2026. The role of Vance as finance chair continues to be highlighted as a key component of the RNC’s fundraising operations, with party officials citing his ability to connect donors and mobilize resources for competitive races.

Beyond the current fundraising figures, the political landscape remains fluid as both parties evaluate lessons from past cycles. Democratic officials have cited internal reviews of 2024 campaign performance, while noting the importance of voter outreach to younger voters and concerns over issues such as public safety and the economy. Ken Martin, the DNC chair, has argued that a post-mortem on last year’s results would be a distraction from ongoing mission work, even as some party officials acknowledge areas where outreach could improve. Harris-era questions about future ambitions— including suggestions she might pursue a 2028 bid— have also colored discussions about the party’s long-term strategy, though party leaders have not publicly framed those discussions as immediate actions. The DNC did not immediately respond to requests for comment on November’s fundraising figures or on future plans.

As 2025 progressed, the fundraising picture showed notable contrasts between the two parties. In mid-2025, the RNC reported $80.7 million in cash on hand, while the DNC had roughly $15.2 million in their war chest through June. The November figures reinforce a continuing trend this year of the RNC building up a sizable cash reserve as it gears up for the 2026 midterms, while the DNC has faced its own fundraising challenges and debt levels. The latest data points to a year of aggressive fundraising for Republicans, with the party leaning on seasoned political figures and donors as it positions for a broad slate of statewide and congressional contests. The dynamics of fundraising, debt, and cash on hand will continue to influence how each party allocates resources in the months ahead, even as both sides prepare for the next cycle of elections in a highly polarized political environment.