The latest fundraising data and Morning Consult tracking poll show significant warning signs that the Republican Senate majority is on shaky ground. In fact, four GOP senators in must-win states raised less than their Democrat challengers. To make matters worse, the tracking poll showed that all four senators were viewed unfavorably by their constituents. Key highlights:
- North Carolina incumbent Thom Tillis recorded the lowest approval rating of any sitting senator at 33 percent. Tillis raised only $1.2 million in Q3.
- Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa failed to break the million-dollar mark. In fact, Ernst was beaten by Theresa Greenfield, a political outsider who raised $1.1 million despite facing a contested Democratic primary and refusing corporate PAC money.
- In Arizona, Martha McSally’s campaign continued to lag challenger Mark Kelly (by nearly $4 million!). McSally also trails Kelly by five points in a recent poll.
- Democrat challenger and current Maine State House Speaker Sara Gideon raised an eyeopening $3.2 million in the third quarter beating incumbent Susan Collins by more than a million dollars. Morning Consult also reported Collins’ approval rating at 43 percent.
Yes, the 2020 election is a year away (and money isn’t everything in an election), but it’s clear that momentum is not on the Republican side.