The Senate Leadership Fund, a super PAC associated with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, raised more than twice as much this September as it did two years ago, according to a FEC filing that will go live Tuesday night.
By the numbers: The SLF raised $92 million in September, spent $105 million, and ended the month with $113 million cash on hand, as Republicans work to maintain their majority on Nov. 3.
- That's compared to $37 million the PAC raised in September 2018.
Why it matters: In competitive races, Democratic Senate candidates trounced their Republicans opponents in the money race last quarter, with candidates like Jamie Harrison in South Carolina collecting more than $30 million that Sen. Lindsey Graham.
- The cash infusion from the SLF, which can raise unlimited contributions, will help Republicans stay competitive and on the air in the final weeks of the campaign.
- Both parties prefer "hard" dollars from individual campaign committees because they receive better ad rates from local TV stations.
- "Soft" money from Super PACs generally has to pay a higher rate in the campaign's closing weeks.
