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House and Senate races have increasingly become national contests

OpenSecrets has released a new report that highlights the growing nationalization of House and Senate races. In the past, nearly all funding for these races came from in-state donors, but over the past two decades candidates have relied more and more on donors from across the country:

Senate races have become steadily more nationalized since 2000 while House races were fairly stable until 2014. Since then the amount of national funding for House races has jumped by more than 10%.

The trend toward nationalization is especially pronounced in certain high-profile races. Amy McGrath, who ran a losing Senate race against Mitch McConnell in 2020, received more than 97% of her funding from followers outside of Kentucky.

Generally speaking, this trend is the same for Democrats and Republicans. In the latest election cycle, Republicans received 39% of their funding nationally while Democrats received 41%.

11 thoughts on “House and Senate races have increasingly become national contests

  1. Dave Viebrock

    Yeah, sites like ActBlue make it pretty easy. Gotta admit, donating like that can make you feel better about current events.

  2. golack

    I live in a blue state. Democrats are going to win. To make a difference, I have to contribute to other candidates. I try to donate to winnable races and directly to the candidate, not a PAC. And mainly for cases where I have a connection, e.g. I've lived there or have relatives living there.
    Unfortunately, since I've given to candidates outside my area, I have everyone and their brother asking for money.

    1. kennethalmquist

      I've decided I don't need any sort of connection to where the candidate is running to contribute. The results of the House and Senate elections are going to affect me, and I figure that is all the connection I need. Otherwise, I do what you do: look for close races and contribute directly rather than to PAC's.

  3. Eve

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  4. Dana Decker

    Decades ago a friend was adamant that candidates for Congress should only be allowed to raise funds from people living in their district or state.

    1. MikeTheMathGuy

      But remember, according to our current Supreme Court, money is free speech. (And corporations are people. And we have always been at war with Eastasia.)

  5. S1AMER

    I don't have a lot to contribute, but I do try to contribute where it appears a few bucks can make a difference. So I might not send contributions to statewide candidate in my state whose victory is either probable or higher unlikely, but instead give something to a good Democrat with a good chance elsewhere.

    Also, I've stopped thinking about contributions I make as "contributions," but more as hopeful "investments" in a decent future.

  6. KJK

    I have contributed to the Senate and House reelection committees through ActBlue in the past few cycles. I also have contributed to various specific Senate campaigns in 2020 and 2022 , like for Fetterman, Warnock, and others I believed had a reasonable chance of winning. Not a big $$ contributor but I do what I can.

    Living in NY, I don't think Chuck or Kirsten needed my money. I might have given a few bucks to Kathy this year as that election was closer than expected.

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