Republicans Outpace Democrats In CampaignFinancing

WASHINGTON - (08/11/04) -- Republican committees continuedtheir traditional lead over Democrats in fundraising through thefirst 18 months of the current two-year election cycle, and widenedtheir lead considerably. Data compiled by the Federal ElectionCommission shows Republican groups, including the RepublicanNational Committee, National Republican Senatorial Committee,National Republican Congressional Committee and various stateorganizations raised $464.7 million between Jan. 1, 2003 and June30, 2004, an increase of $167.2 million, 64%, from the same periodin the last elections. That's $186.5 million, or 67% more, than the$278.2 million raised by Democratic organizations, including theDemocratic National Committee, Democratic Senate CampaignCommittee, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and stateorganizations, during that period.