Democrats outraise Republicans in key midterm races

Democratic candidates outraised Republican rivals in key US congressional races in the July-September quarter, even as Elon Musk gave record sums to groups trying to keep President Donald Trump's party in power.

The figures appeared in third-quarter fundraising reports filed with the Federal Election Commission before Thursday's deadline, the last quarterly disclosure before the November 3 midterm elections.

In six states seen as pivotal to Senate control — Texas, Alaska, Ohio, Maine, Michigan and Iowa — Democrats raised between three and six times as much as their Republican opponents, according to an analysis by Punchbowl News.

In Texas, Democrat James Talarico raised $64 million, compared with $10.2 million for Republican Ken Paxton's campaign. In Ohio, former Democratic senator Sherrod Brown raised $23.1 million against $4.8 million for Republican incumbent Jon Husted. In Maine, Democrat Troy Jackson raised $20.4 million, compared with $5.2 million for Republican Senator Susan Collins.

Democrats also outpaced Republicans in key House races. At least 47 Republican incumbents were outraised by Democratic or independent challengers, compared with about six Democratic incumbents outraised by Republicans. At least 27 Democratic candidates in competitive House districts raised more than $2 million each, against four Republicans.

Republicans retained a major advantage through wealthy donors and outside political groups. The filings showed Musk donated at least $276 million in the third quarter, making him the largest known political donor of the cycle. Of that, $158 million went to the Senate Leadership Fund, the main Republican Senate fundraising group, which is spending the full amount on advertising in Texas supporting Paxton.

Another $20 million went to an organisation backing Republican House candidates. Musk, the Tesla and SpaceX chief, has contributed about $366 million during the election cycle, according to US media analyses.

Outside groups can spend large sums independently of campaigns, while candidates receive cheaper advertising rates. Republicans also hold sizeable cash reserves in several districts, and fundraising alone does not determine election results.