US Republicans are pouring money into more than three dozen US House races previously considered safe for the party, with Republican groups reserving $888 million in advertising for the coming weeks, compared with $666 million for Democrats, according to AdImpact.Since September 1, major Republican groups and megadonors have begun spending in at least 39 House races where they had not previously deployed money this election cycle, a Reuters review found.Republican-leaning super PACs have also outspent Democrats almost 2-to-1 since Labor Day, spending about $309.7 million compared with $174.2 million, Federal Election Commission data shows, as cited by Reuters.
What happened at ‘safe’ seats?
Many of the districts remain Republican strongholds, with candidates still leading in public polls and several having backed Donald Trump by double-digit margins in 2024. But Republican leaders have warned campaigns that internal polling shows they cannot assume victory, according to people familiar with the party’s thinking, quoted by Reuters.Economic pressures, including rising fuel, energy and fertiliser costs, are also hurting traditionally Republican areas, while party strategists are concerned voters could use the November 3 election to register dissatisfaction with Trump’s policies.“Republicans are playing defense in some of the strongholds that they’re used to not having to worry about,” said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean.“We’re in this crucial period in the last 30 days where candidates have to really make a case, given how tough the headwinds are,” said Kevin Madden, a former adviser to Mitt Romney.Republicans say the additional spending is intended to protect their House majority. “Republicans are deploying our massive war chest to drive voters to the polls and supercharge our candidates,” said Natalie Baldassarre, national press secretary for the Republican National Committee.Republicans hold a 218-214 House majority, with one independent caucusing with them and two vacancies. Democrats need to gain at least four seats to take control.One example is Wisconsin Republican Bryan Steil, whose district backed Trump by about 4.5 percentage points in 2024. Conservative super PACs have put $1.5 million into his race this month, their first spending there this cycle.In Texas, Republican groups have spent about $2 million since September 5 to support Representative Monica De La Cruz, whose district Trump won by 18 points. Cook Political Report moved the race from “lean Republican” to “tossup” on Friday.Overall, more than $1.56 billion has been spent by independent committees on federal elections this cycle, according to Reuters’ analysis.
