Updated on: April 21, 2026 / 12:24 AM EDT / CBS News
House Republicans’ campaign arm is touting a record-breaking fundraising haul to start the 2026 midterm cycle, NRCC Chairman Rep. Richard Hudson told CBS News. The National Republican Congressional Committee raised $47.1 million in the first three months of the year — the largest first-quarter total in the committee’s history — including a record $28.1 million in March. The NRCC reports $78.2 million cash on hand and $164.4 million raised for the cycle.
“This is the best first quarter we’ve ever had,” Hudson said, saying the numbers signal momentum for House Republicans as they defend a slim majority. “Republican donors are investing. They understand that the House majority is a firewall against Democrat overreach.” Hudson, who represents North Carolina’s 9th District, predicted Republicans will hold the House in November and argued the competitive map includes only about 30–40 truly competitive seats.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee reported $45.3 million in first-quarter fundraising, slightly less than the NRCC. The DCCC says it has raised $160.6 million so far this cycle and has $70 million on hand. Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene of Washington said Democrats have “the momentum, message, and resources to take back the majority in November,” and argued voters are dissatisfied with Republicans on the cost-of-living.
Hudson credited former President Donald Trump with a central role in boosting NRCC fundraising, including a Washington dinner that the NRCC says raised nearly $37 million. He said he speaks with Trump regularly and meets with him roughly once a month to discuss House races. Trump has also campaigned in battleground states in recent weeks, urging supporters to help “win the midterms.”
Democrats counter that recent special elections and other races show momentum on their side. Hyma Moore, a former senior DNC official, pointed to overperformance by Democrats in a variety of contests and argued voters remain concerned about everyday costs, saying that is a positive sign for Democrats heading into November.
Recent polling underscores potential vulnerabilities for Republicans: roughly two-thirds of Americans say the economy is in bad shape, about 65% disapprove of President Trump’s handling of the economy overall, and nearly 70% disapprove of his job on inflation. The president’s overall job approval has hovered in the low 40s in recent CBS News polling and hit a low of 39% earlier in April.
Hudson said pocketbook issues will remain central but argued Republicans have enacted policies that will improve Americans’ lives compared with the Biden years, blaming President Joe Biden for past inflation and gas-price spikes. He also said national polls don’t determine individual House races and emphasized candidate quality and the fact that more Democratic seats are at risk.
Outside House GOP-aligned groups are also reporting strong fundraising: the Congressional Leadership Fund super PAC and the American Action Network have raised nearly $193 million this cycle, NRCC noted. Speaker Mike Johnson raised a record $34 million in the first quarter and, according to the NRCC, has now raised more than $116 million in hard dollars for House Republicans this cycle. Hudson highlighted fundraising from vulnerable GOP incumbents, branded the “NRCC Patriots,” as evidence of early strength.
Democrats point to specific battlegrounds where their challengers outraised Republicans in the first quarter. In Pennsylvania, Janelle Stelson raised $2.2 million to Rep. Scott Perry’s $1.1 million. In Arizona, JoAnna Mendoza raised $2.4 million, more than double Rep. Juan Ciscomani’s haul. In Wisconsin’s 3rd District, Rebecca Cooke brought in $2.4 million versus Rep. Derrick Van Orden’s $1.3 million.
On the Senate side, several Democrats in competitive races outraised their Republican opponents. In Texas, Democratic nominee James Talarico raised $27 million in the first quarter — the largest first-quarter sum ever for a Senate candidate. In Georgia, Sen. Jon Ossoff raised $14 million and has $31.7 million cash on hand, according to FEC filings.
Anne Bryson contributed to this report.
In: Politics; Republican Party
