Special Report

Neighborhoods Donating Most to Democratic and Republican Candidates

Samuel Stebbins

Published: November 5, 2018 3:41 pm

Last Updated: January 11, 2020 3:21 pm

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich once described politics as a war for power. As the 2018 midterm election nears, in many parts of the country, the analogy is apt. The outcomes of dozens of closely contested races will have far reaching consequences — so they are bitterly fought, and expensive.

In addition to several gubernatorial races, this year’s election will decide which party will control the House and possibly the Senate for at least the next two years. For many, the election also represents a referendum on President Donald Trump’s first two years in office, seen as a bellwether for how he may fare in a 2020 bid for re-election.

With so much at stake, campaign spending among both Republicans and Democrats is shattering records. According to estimates from the Center for Responsive Politics, total campaign spending is projected to top $5.2 billion this election season, eclipsing the previous midterm spending record of $4.2 billion.

This election cycle, Democratic candidates are out-fundraising and out-spending their Republican rivals. By the time the polls close, Democrats are projected to have spent $2.5 billion compared to the GOP’s $2.2 billion.

While races for House and Senate seats are more local in nature than presidential contests, with the balance of power in the legislative branch at stake, contributions this year are coming from well outside many candidates’ constituency base. In some of the closest races, donations are flooding in from all over the country, fueling the final push before election day.

To identify the neighborhoods donating most to 2018 midterm campaigns, 24/7 Wall St. totalled campaign contributions to the Republican and Democratic parties from ZIP codes using data from the Federal Election Commission.Contribution data is for the period from Nov. 9, 2016 through Oct. 15, 2018. Population and median household income are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2016 American Community Survey.

There is a wide scope of donation recipients this cycle, and the candidate receiving the largest share of contributions from a given ZIP code is not always affiliated with the political party receiving the most donations in the same area. Additionally, fundraising is an ongoing process, and not all of the politicians ranking as the largest recipient in a given ZIP code will be on the ballot on Nov. 6.

Four ZIP codes rank among the largest donors for both Republicans and Democrats. These neighborhoods are located exclusively in New York City and Washington D.C. and are home to wealthy Americans with powerful interests — on both sides of the political spectrum.

Click here to see the 25 neighborhoods donating the most to Democratic candidates.
Click here to see the 25 neighborhoods donating the most to Republican candidates.

Neighborhoods Donating the Most to Democratic Candidates

Source: Thinkstock

25. ZIP 10065 (New York City – Upper East Side)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,179,548 (68.7% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $960,463 (30.3% of total)
> Largest recipient: Chele Farley (R-N.Y.) – Senate ($64,190)
> Population: 30,001
> Median household income: $118,310

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Source: Lady-Photo / iStock

24. ZIP 10075 (New York City – Upper East Side)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,202,794 (80.8% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $498,222 (18.3% of total)
> Largest recipient: Christopher Murphy (D-Conn.) – Senate ($58,310)
> Population: 23,353
> Median household income: $114,481

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23. ZIP 75209 (Dallas)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,237,102 (85.2% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $289,477 (11.0% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) – Senate ($595,500)
> Population: 14,114
> Median household income: $85,721

Source: TheCrimsonRibbon / Getty Images

22. ZIP 90210 (Beverly Hills, California)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,263,111 (68.0% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,039,565 (31.3% of total)
> Largest recipient: Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) – Senate ($272,600)
> Population: 20,957
> Median household income: $146,250

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Source: Thinkstock

21. ZIP 10019 (New York City – Midtown West)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,315,755 (64.9% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,234,279 (34.6% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) – House ($250,000)
> Population: 39,505
> Median household income: $94,477

Source: Thinkstock

20. ZIP 90067 (Los Angeles)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,435,122 (81.0% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $538,480 (17.9% of total)
> Largest recipient: Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) – Senate ($70,000)
> Population: 2,355
> Median household income: $120,208

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Source: Ayanna Fews / iStock

19. ZIP 10025 (New York City – Upper West Side)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,488,013 (96.5% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $72,258 (2.8% of total)
> Largest recipient: Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) – Senate ($33,000)
> Population: 94,717
> Median household income: $80,025

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Source: Thinkstock

18. ZIP 19103 (Philadelphia)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,497,435 (91.4% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $228,235 (8.4% of total)
> Largest recipient: Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) – Senate ($58,600)
> Population: 22,911
> Median household income: $70,746

Source: Art Wager / Getty Images

17. ZIP 92014 (San Diego)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,548,662 (95.9% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $103,125 (3.9% of total)
> Largest recipient: Mike Levin (D-Calif.) – House ($47,013)
> Population: 13,665
> Median household income: $120,882

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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

16. ZIP 20016 (Washington D.C. – Northwest Quadrant)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,560,892 (72.1% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $949,428 (26.7% of total)
> Largest recipient: Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) – Senate ($25,530)
> Population: 35,192
> Median household income: $127,936

Source: TomasSereda / Getty Images

15. ZIP 10022 (New York City – Midtown East)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,663,223 (45.3% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $3,158,485 (53.8% of total)
> Largest recipient: Chele Farley (R-N.Y.) – Senate ($302,281)
> Population: 30,262
> Median household income: $123,693

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Source: krblokhin / iStock

14. ZIP 20007 (Washington D.C. – Northwest Quadrant)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,700,305 (71.8% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,013,573 (27.0% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) – House ($250,700)
> Population: 26,415
> Median household income: $119,510

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Source: MBPROJEKT_Maciej_Bledowski / iStock

13. ZIP 10028 (New York City – Upper East Side)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,738,737 (75.6% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $847,446 (23.4% of total)
> Largest recipient: John Cornyn (R-Texas) – Senate ($56,000)
> Population: 48,205
> Median household income: $111,302

Source: Tim Evanson / Flickr

12. ZIP 20008 (Washington D.C. – Northwest Quadrant)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,758,146 (82.6% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $541,932 (16.2% of total)
> Largest recipient: Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) – Senate ($40,000)
> Population: 28,261
> Median household income: $111,614

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Source: BDS2006 / Wikimedia Commons

11. ZIP 90049 (Los Angeles)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,865,779 (84.1% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $494,557 (14.5% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) – Senate ($336,000)
> Population: 35,581
> Median household income: $117,007

Source: SpVVK / Getty Images

10. ZIP 94301 (Palo Alto, California)
> Contributions to Democrats: $3,238,390 (86.2% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $486,739 (13.0% of total)
> Largest recipient: Mike Levin (D-Calif.) – House ($73,170)
> Population: 17,409
> Median household income: $135,427

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9. ZIP 10021 (New York City – Upper East Side)
> Contributions to Democrats: $3,299,890 (63.6% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,813,100 (34.9% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) – House ($240,500)
> Population: 45,261
> Median household income: $115,681

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock

8. ZIP 10128 (New York City – Upper East Side)
> Contributions to Democrats: $3,349,302 (83.6% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $598,935 (14.9% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) – Senate ($41,492)
> Population: 63,006
> Median household income: $103,817

Source: ablokhin / iStock

7. ZIP 10011 (New York City – Chelsea)
> Contributions to Democrats: $3,719,267 (94.1% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $212,482 (5.4% of total)
> Largest recipient: Christopher Murphy (D-Conn.) – Senate ($39,838)
> Population: 50,404
> Median household income: $114,134

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6. ZIP 20815 (Chevy Chase, Maryland)
> Contributions to Democrats: $3,801,105 (89.9% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $398,486 (9.4% of total)
> Largest recipient: Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) – Senate ($51,750)
> Population: 30,269
> Median household income: $146,547

Source: Thinkstock

5. ZIP 92130 (San Diego)
> Contributions to Democrats: $4,334,640 (96.2% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $163,150 (3.6% of total)
> Largest recipient: Paul Kerr (D-Calif.) – House ($3,943,027)
> Population: 51,757
> Median household income: $136,855

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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

4. ZIP 20003 (Washington D.C. – Southeast Quadrant)
> Contributions to Democrats: $5,136,955 (79.9% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,274,819 (19.8% of total)
> Largest recipient: Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) – House ($247,700)
> Population: 29,071
> Median household income: $113,750

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3. ZIP 10024 (New York City – Upper West Side)
> Contributions to Democrats: $6,016,567 (79.3% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,506,460 (19.8% of total)
> Largest recipient: Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) – Senate ($960,000)
> Population: 58,516
> Median household income: $118,594

Source: tupungato / iStock

2. ZIP 10023 (New York City – Upper West Side)
> Contributions to Democrats: $6,267,639 (86.8% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $897,288 (12.4% of total)
> Largest recipient: Holly Lynch (D-N.Y.) – House ($860,304)
> Population: 60,307
> Median household income: $115,080

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Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

1. ZIP 20817 (Bethesda, Maryland)
> Contributions to Democrats: $13,098,671 (94.9% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $653,161 (4.7% of total)
> Largest recipient: National Republican Congressional Committee ($38,100)
> Population: 36,856
> Median household income: $171,523

Neighborhoods Donating the Most to Republican Candidates

Source: Thinkstock

25. ZIP 20003 (Washington D.C. – Southeast Quadrant)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,274,819 (19.8% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $5,136,955 (79.9% of total)
> Largest recipient: Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) – House ($247,700)
> Population: 29,071
> Median household income: $113,750

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24. ZIP 75229 (Dallas)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,278,126 (54.8% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,015,136 (43.6% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) – Senate ($255,000)
> Population: 32,677
> Median household income: $84,227

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23. ZIP 60045 (Lake Forest, Illinois)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,386,382 (76.5% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $407,695 (22.5% of total)
> Largest recipient: National Republican Senatorial Committee ($150,000)
> Population: 20,622
> Median household income: $167,073

Source: Thinkstock

22. ZIP 33401 (West Palm Beach, Florida)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,389,120 (78.4% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $380,095 (21.5% of total)
> Largest recipient: Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) – Senate ($207,900)
> Population: 26,501
> Median household income: $44,028

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Source: Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) / Wikimedia Commons

21. ZIP 22207 (Arlington, Virginia)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,398,010 (53.5% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,199,626 (45.9% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) – House ($26,750)
> Population: 33,191
> Median household income: $170,423

Source: Thinkstock

20. ZIP 77019 (Houston)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,412,925 (48.3% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,443,071 (49.3% of total)
> Largest recipient: John Cornyn (R-Texas) – Senate ($221,000)
> Population: 21,067
> Median household income: $102,521

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Source: TraceRouda / Getty Images

19. ZIP 92660 (Newport Beach, California)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,430,001 (78.6% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $386,068 (21.2% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) – House ($137,700)
> Population: 35,935
> Median household income: $117,263

Source: Thinkstock

18. ZIP 60611 (Chicago)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,504,585 (48.0% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,618,293 (51.7% of total)
> Largest recipient: Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) – Senate ($98,600)
> Population: 31,563
> Median household income: $92,545

Source: tupungato / iStock

17. ZIP 10024 (New York City – Upper West Side)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,506,460 (19.8% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $6,016,567 (79.3% of total)
> Largest recipient: Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) – Senate ($960,000)
> Population: 58,516
> Median household income: $118,594

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Source: yhelfman / Getty Images

16. ZIP 94062 (Redwood City, California)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,553,189 (53.2% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,339,647 (45.9% of total)
> Largest recipient: Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) – Senate ($1,003,200)
> Population: 27,099
> Median household income: $135,808

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

15. ZIP 30327 (Atlanta)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,735,987 (70.6% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $714,941 (29.1% of total)
> Largest recipient: David Perdue (R-Ga.) – Senate ($109,850)
> Population: 23,120
> Median household income: $146,361

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Source: CreativeImages1900 / iStock

14. ZIP 10021 (New York City – Upper East Side)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,813,100 (34.9% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $3,299,890 (63.6% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) – House ($240,500)
> Population: 45,261
> Median household income: $115,681

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13. ZIP 75225 (University Park, Texas)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,884,605 (60.0% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,221,793 (38.9% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) – Senate ($226,500)
> Population: 21,231
> Median household income: $158,418

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

12. ZIP 75219 (Dallas)
> Contributions to Republicans: $2,051,886 (51.5% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,853,532 (46.5% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) – Senate ($579,000)
> Population: 22,914
> Median household income: $65,838

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Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / iStock

11. ZIP 75201 (Dallas)
> Contributions to Republicans: $2,080,211 (58.5% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,414,384 (39.8% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) – Senate ($477,000)
> Population: 13,562
> Median household income: $84,817

Source: Thinkstock

10. ZIP 77002 (Houston)
> Contributions to Republicans: $2,183,080 (77.7% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $610,394 (21.7% of total)
> Largest recipient: Mike Braun – (R-Ind.) – Senate ($320,000)
> Population: 11,861
> Median household income: $68,229

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Source: User:Jaydec / Wikimedia Commons

9. ZIP 85253 (Paradise Valley, Arizona)
> Contributions to Republicans: $2,212,841 (73.9% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $725,226 (24.2% of total)
> Largest recipient: Martha Mcsally (R-Ariz.) – Senate ($200,000)
> Population: 17,461
> Median household income: $129,375

Source: Mckaysalisbury / Wikimedia Commons

8. ZIP 22101 (McLean, Virginia)
> Contributions to Republicans: $2,405,459 (55.3% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,912,259 (44.0% of total)
> Largest recipient: Patrick Morrisey (R-W.Va.) – Senate ($46,000)
> Population: 30,238
> Median household income: $186,225

Source: Drumguy8800 / Wikimedia Commons

7. ZIP 75205 (University Park, Texas)
> Contributions to Republicans: $2,497,118 (60.9% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,542,086 (37.6% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) – Senate ($415,500)
> Population: 24,076
> Median household income: $125,269

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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

6. ZIP 38117 (Memphis, Tennessee)
> Contributions to Republicans: $2,885,492 (97.3% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $79,501 (2.7% of total)
> Largest recipient: George Flinn (R-Tenn.) – House ($2,545,250)
> Population: 26,203
> Median household income: $69,665

Source: TravisPhotoWorks / Getty Images

5. ZIP 30076 (Roswell, Georgia)
> Contributions to Republicans: $2,940,699 (97.6% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $71,665 (2.4% of total)
> Largest recipient: Dan Moody (R-Ga.) – House ($2,803,120)
> Population: 44,177
> Median household income: $70,697

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Source: Thinkstock

4. ZIP 10022 (New York City – Midtown East)
> Contributions to Republicans: $3,158,485 (53.8% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,663,223 (45.3% of total)
> Largest recipient: Chele Farley (R-N.Y.) – Senate ($302,281)
> Population: 30,262
> Median household income: $123,693

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

3. ZIP 33480 (Palm Beach, Florida)
> Contributions to Republicans: $4,071,197 (80.0% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,004,565 (19.8% of total)
> Largest recipient: John Cornyn (R-Texas) – Senate ($610,000)
> Population: 9,844
> Median household income: $101,750

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

2. ZIP 77024 (Houston)
> Contributions to Republicans: $7,882,912 (88.7% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $946,103 (10.6% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kathaleen Wall (R-Texas) – House ($6,172,227)
> Population: 37,867
> Median household income: $114,336

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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

1. ZIP 32315 (Tallahassee, Florida)
> Contributions to Republicans: $27,050,940 (99.9% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,650 (0.1% of total)
> Largest recipient: Rick Scott (R-Fla.) – Senate ($27,050,190)
> Population: N/A
> Median household income: N/A