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July 11th, 2019

This week in money-in-politics

Amy McGrath answers Democratic groups’ prayers in Senate bid against McConnell

Amy McGrath, a former Marine fighter pilot and unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Congress in Kentucky last year, will try to unseat Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in 2020.

Much to the delight of Democratic groups that have been furiously recruiting McGrath for months, the likely Democratic nominee announced her decision to run Tuesday morning with a video slamming McConnell as someone who has “turned Washington into something we all despise.”

Notorious for rejecting bills passed by the Democratic-led House, McConnell has become the boogeyman for Democratic candidates and groups alike. Democratic presidential candidates cited the Republican leader as the ultimate roadblock on the debate stage last month, while liberal groups prominently feature McConnell in solicitations and attack ads.

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Democratic Senate candidates announce record-breaking Q2 fundraising

Seven Democratic candidates vying to gain seats in the Senate have announced seven-figure fundraising results for the second quarter, shattering records and expectations more than a year before Election Day. Read more

Tom Steyer, the top all-time Democratic donor, enters presidential field

Billionaire hedge fund manager and philanthropist Tom Steyer is officially entering the Democratic field for President. He leads every other liberal donor, contributing almost $248 million cumulatively. Read More

Kris Kobach files for Kansas Senate run in blow to GOP groups

Former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach launched a run for U.S. Senate in Kansas Monday. Kobach will likely face opposition from GOP-aligned outside groups in the Republican primary race for the seat held by retiring Sen. Pat Roberts. Read More

Trade group airs ads to boost five senators facing reelection

A trade group representing chemical companies will spend more than $150,000 on advertising during July in support of four Republican senators and one Democrat, all of whom face reelection in 2020.

The American Chemistry Council, which represents nearly 200 companies including DuPont, Chevron Phillips and ExxonMobil, is running TV and radio ads in Alaska, Delaware, Louisiana, Montana and South Dakota between July 8 and 21, according to Federal Communications Commission records accessed via OpenSecrets’ political ad database. Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) all face reelection next year.

The ads that mention Cassidy, Daines and Rounds praise the three senators for tax cuts. Sullivan receives recognition for ocean cleanup, while Coons is applauded for his sustainability efforts. All of the ads end by encouraging viewers to call their senators and thank them.

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OpenSecrets in the News

See where we've been cited by media outlets around the nation this week.

Pro-impeachment billionaire Tom Steyer makes late entry into Democratic race (NBC News)
Billionaire Tom Steyer's money could give him an edge, as could the extensive email list of 8.3 million names compiled by a group he founded to push for the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

Tomlinson’s fundraising total could give rival Ga. Democrats an opening (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Former Columbus, Georgia Mayor turned U.S. Senate candidate Teresa Tomlinson raised about $520,000 between April and June, about three-quarters of it coming from Georgia donors. Could that fundraising success encourage other Democrats to enter the race?

Sen. Schumer will donate campaign contributions from accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein to charity (CNBC)
Jeffrey Epstein contributed significant sums to the campaign of Senator Chuck Schumer between 1992 and 1997. Schumer announced this week that he is "donating an equal sum to anti-sex trafficking and anti-violence against women groups."