McConnell-Backed PACs Raise Record $31.6 Million for Midterm Elections

Political Action Committees associated with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) raised $31.6 million last year — a record in a non-election year, according to data given to USA Today.

USA Today reported:

The Senate Leadership Fund, One Nation and two other political organizations associated with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., started this year with $23.9 million in cash reserves, a 10% increase from its cash position at this point in the last election cycle, officials said.

Republicans have a favorable election map this year because they are defending just eight seats in the Senate compared to 26 held by Democrats.

In its reporting, USA Today labeled President Donald Trump “unpopular,” which the media outlet said could hurt chances for Republican victories in the midterm elections.

USA Today also noted the historical fact that the party in power in the White House loses seats in midterms.

“We start this cycle better prepared than we ever have been,” Steven Law, who heads up the McConnell groups, told USA Today.

Law said that some donors are “disappointed” that Republicans failed to repeal Obamacare. Nonetheless, donors see McConnell as “indispensable” to get their agenda advanced, including seating conservative judges.

“A little more than half the money taken in by the McConnell-aligned groups — or $16.7 million — went to One Nation, a politically active nonprofit that does not disclose donor identities,” USA Today reported.

The Senate Leadership Fund raised $13.7, and other donations were made to American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS, organizations run by George W. Bush’s top adviser Karl Rove.

According to Open Secrets, the Senate Leadership Fund has already raised more than $11 million in 2018.