Hotline's Q1 Senate fundraising chart

Vulnerable Senate Democrats dominated fundraising in the first three months of the off year after losing control of the chamber last cycle, according to campaign finance reports filed Tuesday.

Democratic senators on average outpaced their GOP colleagues by more than two-to-one in fundraising. Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia, the most vulnerable Democrat next year, posted the largest haul of $11.2 million during the quarter. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia followed with $3 million raised. Vulnerable GOP incumbents posted noteworthy totals, including Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, who hauled in $2.3 million.

Senate Republicans are preparing for Democrats to outraise their candidates during the cycle. National Republican Senatorial Committee Executive Director Jennifer DeCasper told GOP chiefs of staff last week that some Republican Senate campaigns were being outpaced by rank-and-file House members. The NRSC is also urging incumbents vulnerable to a primary challenge to fundraise for their own campaigns as the committee looks to expand Republicans' 53-seat majority.

Self-funded primary challengers outraised two Republicans. In Louisiana, state Treasurer John Fleming outpaced Sen. Bill Cassidy, $2.3 million to $1 million, thanks to a $2 million loan to his campaign. In South Carolina, Greenville-based businessman Mark Lynch outraised Sen. Lindsey Graham, $5.1 million to $1.1 million, thanks to a $5.1 million candidate loan. Lynch and Fleming raised the most of any Republican Senate candidate in the first quarter. No Democrats were outraised by challengers.

Four incumbents have announced their retirements so far, spurring competitive primary contests for next year.

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, who’s expected to retire at the end of his term, raised $42,000—the third lowest amount of any in-cycle senator, just above the members who already announced retirements. Democrats eyeing his seat, including Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Lauren Underwood, and Robin Kelly, raised $3.1 million, $393,000, and $186,000, respectively. Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton told fellow Democrats last month that she was prepared to launch a Senate bid with the financial backing of Gov. J.B. Pritzker if Durbin retires.

Candidates marked with an asterisk are considering Senate bids but have not officially launched campaigns.

Primary problems

Cassidy is widely expected to be the most vulnerable GOP incumbent following his 2021 vote to impeach President Trump. Despite being outraised by Fleming, Cassidy boasts a $7.5 million war chest. Fleming told the Washington Examiner last month he’d “plop a million dollars” of his money into funding his Senate bid.

Graham, on the other hand, has Trump’s endorsement heading into his reelection campaign and boasts a $15.9 million war chest. Lynch told the South Carolina Daily Gazette he planned to invest between $4 million and $5 million into his campaign, considering more if necessary.

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, a powerhouse fundraiser, brought in $1.6 million during the first quarter. The senator faces a primary challenge from state Attorney General Ken Paxton, who entered the race after the filing deadline.

Florida: Sen. Ashley Moody (R)

• Moody: $418,000
• Rep. Cory Mills (R-07)*: $284,000

Louisiana: Cassidy (R)

• Fleming: $2.3 million, including a $2 million candidate loan
• Cassidy: $1 million

South Carolina: Graham (R)

• Lynch: $5.1 million, including a $5.1 million candidate loan
• Graham: $1.1 million

Texas: Cornyn (R)

• Cornyn: $1.6 million
• Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-38)*: $510,000

Top races

Battleground incumbents running for reelection held their own in fundraising, outpacing potential challengers. Ossoff raised the most among the group, entering this month with $11.1 million on hand. Republicans are looking to recruit Gov. Brian Kemp to challenge Ossoff, but several Republicans are waiting in the wings if the governor doesn’t run.

Tillis raised the most of any Senate Republican, entering April with a $4 million war chest as he prepares to hold off challengers in the primary and general election.

Georgia: Ossoff (D)

• Ossoff: $11.2 million
• Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-14)*: $655,000
• Rep. Buddy Carter (R-01)*: $537,000
• Rep. Mike Collins (R-10)*: $406,000
• Rep. Rich McCormick (R-07)*: $289,000

Maine: Sen. Susan Collins (R)

• Collins: $842,000
• Rep. Jared Golden (D-02)*: $474,000
• Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-01)*: $56,000
• Former SpaceX engineer Phillip Rench (I): $53,000, including a $50,000 candidate loan

Michigan: Open (D)

• Rep. Haley Stevens (D-11)*: $1.2 million
• Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-04)*: $857,000
• 2024 nominee Mike Rogers (R): $431,000

North Carolina: Tillis (R)

• Tillis: $2.3 million
• 2024 NC-08 candidate Don Brown (R): $22,000
• Former Rep. Wiley Nickel (D): $21,000

Ohio: Sen. Jon Husted (R)

• Husted: $1.1 million

Open seats

Competitive primaries in open Senate seats are shaping up at the moment. Several candidates jumped in after the first quarter window. Their first financial gut check will come in July.

Kentucky: Open (R)

• Rep. Andy Barr (R-06)*: $1.9 million
• 2023 GOV nominee Daniel Cameron (R): $508,000
• State Rep. Pamela Stevenson (D): $70,000

Minnesota: Open (D)

• Rep. Angie Craig (D-02)*: $1.2 million
• Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (D): $452,000
• Former state Sen. Melisa López Franzen (D): $260,000
• 2024 nominee Royce White (R): $204,000
• Former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze (R): $141,000

New Hampshire: Open (D)

• Rep. Chris Pappas (D-02): $656,000
• Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-01)*: $533,000