15 October 2024
ST.PAUL — Minnesota Democrats have nearly 2.5 times the funding as Republicans in 2024’s federal elections, according to the most recent reports by the Federal Elections Commission.
Blue candidates have raised $44,776,000 in campaigning for the Nov. 5 general election, while red candidates have raised $18,133,000 — an almost $30 million deficit.
Campaign funds can run the gamut, from an $8 yard sign to a hefty $500,000 contribution from a large business. These totals are separate from party funds and don’t include Minnesota state House and Senate races — though a DFL report on Minnesota state elections shows a similar pattern, with the DFL raising $5,932,000 compared to just $296,600 for the GOP.
DFL Party Chair Ken Martin explained that while money is not the sole factor in determining how competitive a race will be, it certainly is a consideration — alongside polling and results of the last election.
“Campaigns can use the money they raise in a wide variety of ways, including staff, offices, advertising, literature, lawn signs and supplies,” he said. “Successful fundraising is an advantage in politics, but only if those dollars are well-spent.”
Minnesota Congressional races
Total Democrat funding: $16,657,000
Total Republican funding: $14,710,000
Democratic campaigns for Minnesota’s Representatives in Congress have raised a total of $16.7 million, edging out Republican funding by just under $2 million.
District 1 — Southern Minnesota
Democrat Rachel Bohman: $219,000
Republican Brad Finstad (incumbent): $1,506,000
Total raised so far: $1,725,000
District 1 is Minnesota’s fourth most expensive race, with incumbent Brad Finstad making up $1.5 million of the $1.7 million reportedly raised so far in the district. Bohman has spent $97,222 of her funding, while Finstad has spent $879,456.
District 2 — South metro and southeast Minnesota
Democrat Angie Craig (incumbent): $6,119,000
Republican Joe Teirab: $1,727,000
Total raised so far: $7,846,000
District 2 is the second most expensive race in the state, and incumbent Rep. Angie Craig is significantly outpacing her opponents in funding, with a total of $6,119,000 raised. Craig has reportedly spent $2,016,727 to date on her 2024 campaign, while Teirab has spent $1,190,984.
Despite the monetary difference, the race has been dubbed the most competitive. In 2022, the district voted 50.9% Democrat, 45,7% Republican and the rest independent, according to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office. Financial backing like this can point to districts where parties see a battleground.
District 3 — Greater Hennepin County
Democrat Kelly Morrison: $1,362,000
Republican Tad Jude: $163,000
Total raised so far: $1,525,000
District 3 shows less competitive funding. While there is no incumbent in District 3 after Dean Phillips left an open seat for a failed presidential bid, Democrat Kelly Morrison has raised $1,362,000 and competitor Tad Jude, a Republican, is reportedly at $163,000.
Morrison has spent $679,254 of her funds, while Jude has spent $124,072.
District 4 — Ramsey County and suburbs
Democrat Betty McCollum (incumbent): $1,365,000
Republican May Lor Xiong: $53,000
Total raised so far: $1,418,000
Betty McCollum, a Democrat running for reelection, has raised $1,365,000 to Republican May Lor Xiong’s $53,000.
McCollum has spent $1,070,737 of her funds, while Xiong has spent $31,666.
District 5 — Minneapolis and suburbs
Democrat Ilhan Omar (incumbent): $6,788,000
Republican Dalia Al-Aqidi: $1,290,000
Total raised so far: $8,078,000
District 5 is the second most expensive race, with $8.08 million raised so far. Incumbent Ilhan Omar, a Democrat, accounts for $6.8 million of that funding, with challenger Republican Dalia Al-Aqidi raising $1.3 million.
Omar has spent $6,157,892 of her funds, while Al-Aqidi has spent $1,204,572.
District 6 — North and west metro and St. Cloud
Democrat Jeanne Hendricks: $31,000
Republican Tom Emmer (incumbent): $6,759,000
Total raised so far: $6,790,000
In the race for Congressional District 6, Republican incumbent Tom Emmer has blown past his opponent, raising $6,759,000 to Democrat Jeanne Hendricks’ $31,000.
Hendricks has spent $24,601 while Emmer has spent $4,510,232.
District 7 — Western Minnesota
Democrat A. John Peters: $15,000
Republican Michelle Fischbach (incumbent): $1,554,000
Total raised so far: $1,569,000
John Peters, a Democrat, has raised $15,000 and spent $5,730 on his 2024 campaign, while Republican Michelle Fischbach has raised $1,554,000 and spent $1,070,004.
District 8 — Northeastern Minnesota
Democrat Jen Schultz: $758,000
Republican Pete Stauber (incumbent): $1,658,000
Total raised so far: $2,416,000
In District 8’s race, Democrat Jen Schultz has raised $758,000 and spent $508,072, while Republican and incumbent Pete Stauber has raised $1,658,000 and spent $1,039,063.
Minnesota Senate races
Democrat Amy Klobuchar (incumbent): $18,973,000
Republican Royce White: $133,000
Incumbent Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar has raised $18,973,000 for her reelection campaign, while opponent Republican Royce White has so far raised $133,000.
Presidential race funding from Minnesota
Democrat Kamala Harris: $9,146,000
Republican Donald Trump: $3,290,000
Minnesotans have contributed far more to Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, who has raised $9 million from Minnesota compared to Trump’s $3 million. On a national level, most recent reports from the FEC show that Harris’ campaign has raised $678,938,000 nationally, with Trump at $313,042,000.
Editor’s note: All data from this story was sourced from the Federal Election Commission
Districts with the most total funding for Minnesota congressional campaigns:
1. District 5: $8,078,000
2. District 2: $7,846,000
3. District 6: $6,790,000
4. District 1: $1,725,000
5. District 3: $1,525,000
6. District 4: $1,418,000
7. District 8: $2,416,000
8. District 7: $1,569,000
Source: Federal Election Commission
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