Though the 2022 midterm elections are a year away, campaign fundraising has begun in earnest. In the first six months of 2021, congressional candidates have cumulatively raised hundreds of millions of dollars.
Fundraising is an essential part of any political campaign in the United States. Candidates for national office spend millions of dollars, some of it to pay their staff and some of it to reach voters through advertising and other means. And much of those funds are donations from corporations, political action committees, political parties, and, perhaps most importantly, individual voters.
According to a study published by the Pew Research Group, over half of all individual donations to political campaigns are less than $100, and over 80% are less than $250. This stands in contrast to PACs and other interest groups that often write checks for hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Candidates who are able to fundraise effectively through relatively small donation amounts have demonstrable support among those who will likely fill voting booths on Election Day.Â
Using data from the Federal Election Commission, 24/7 Wall St. identified the candidates for the U.S. Congress who are raising the most money from individuals this year. U.S. House and Senate candidates for next year’s midterm elections are ranked by the amount of money contributed to their campaigns by individuals in the first half of 2021.
Among the candidates on this list, fundraising totals from individuals range from more than $1.5 million to $30.4 million. The majority of candidates on this list — 29 out of 50 — are affiliated with the Democratic Party. All but 10 candidates on this list are incumbents running for reelection, and a handful are running for national office for the first time. Here is a look at the Democrats and the Republicans who have made a career out of serving in the house.Â
Several candidates on this list are notable for their outspoken positions on certain issues and even publicly clashing with their party leadership — Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Republican Wyoming Rep. Elizabeth Cheney, to name two.
Click here to see the congressional candidates raising the most money from individuals this year
Click here for our methodology
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images
50. Sen. Ron Harold Johnson
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $1,560,045 (89.3% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Wisconsin
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
49. Rep. Tom Malinowski
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $1,566,686 (90.1% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: New Jersey’s 7th District
> Seat status: Incumbent
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Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images
48. Sen. Richard Blumenthal
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $1,567,091 (62.2% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Connecticut
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images News via Getty Images
47. Rep. Josh Gottheimer
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $1,574,872 (81.6% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: New Jersey’s 5th District
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images
46. Rep. Elissa Slotkin
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $1,574,933 (83.1% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: Michigan’s 8th District
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Handout / Getty Images News via Getty Images
45. Rep. David Madison Cawthorn
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $1,584,655 (89.2% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: North Carolina’s 11th District
> Seat status: Incumbent
44. Rep. Antonio Delgado
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $1,614,484 (90.3% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: New York’s 19th District
> Seat status: Incumbent
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Source: Larry French / Getty Images
43. Rep. Brian Mast
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $1,614,872 (92.3% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: Florida’s 18th District
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Alex Edelman / Getty Images News via Getty Images
42. Rep. Josh Harder
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $1,646,177 (82.8% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: California’s 10th District
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News via Getty Images
41. Rep. Lauren Boebert
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $1,668,922 (93.0% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: Colorado’s 3rd District
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images News via Getty Images
40. Rep. Devin G. Nunes
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $1,775,077 (70.3% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: California’s 22nd District
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images
39. Rep. Melanie Stansbury
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $1,811,623 (84.0% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: New Mexico’s 1st District
> Seat status: Incumbent
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Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
38. Sen. Todd Christopher Young
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $1,937,204 (58.7% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Indiana
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Zach Gibson / Getty Images
37. Rep. Timothy Ryan
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $1,947,613 (62.6% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Ohio
> Seat status: Open
Source: Courtesy of Marcus Flowers For Congress via Facebook
36. Marcus Flowers
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $1,997,775 (99.0% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: Georgia’s 14th District
> Seat status: Challenger
35. State Sen. Jeff Jackson
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $2,008,618 (99.8% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: North Carolina
> Seat status: Open
Source: Courtesy of Alex Lasry via Facebook
34. Alex Lasry
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $2,032,243 (97.0% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Wisconsin
> Seat status: Challenger
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Source: Pool / Pool / Getty Images North America
33. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $2,045,762 (89.6% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: Illinois’ 8th District
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Jason Getz / Getty Images
32. David Perdue
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $2,065,998 (122.0% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Georgia
> Seat status: Challenger
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images
31. Rep. Elise M. Stefanik
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $2,112,761 (89.5% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: New York’s 21st District
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Courtesy of Katie Britt for Alabama via Facebook
30. Katie Boyd Britt
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $2,186,210 (98.0% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Alabama
> Seat status: Open
Source: Courtesy of berniemoreno.com
29. Bernie Moreno
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $2,237,452 (99.5% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Ohio
> Seat status: Open
Source: Courtesy of janetimkenforohio.com
28. Jane Timken
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $2,254,677 (68.9% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Ohio
> Seat status: Open
Source: Chris Joseph Taylor / Getty Images News via Getty Images
27. Sen. Patty Murray
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $2,294,750 (79.8% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Washington
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
26. Rep. Rohit Khanna
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $2,306,293 (100.0% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: California’s 17th District
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Sarah Silbiger / Getty Images News via Getty Images
25. Sen. Ronald Lee Wyden
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $2,364,936 (74.0% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Oregon
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images News via Getty Images
24. Sen. Michael F. Bennet
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $2,385,473 (80.6% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Colorado
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images News via Getty Images
23. Rep. Elizabeth Cheney
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $2,489,419 (72.8% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: Wyoming
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
22. Rep. Matt Gaetz
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $3,161,211 (96.5% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: Florida’s 1st District
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
21. Sen. Tammy Duckworth
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $3,167,743 (75.5% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Illinois
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images
20. Rep. Adam Schiff
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $3,492,828 (87.8% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: California’s 28th District
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
19. Sen. John Neely Kennedy
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $3,610,779 (87.5% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Louisiana
> Seat status: Incumbent
18. Rep. James D. Jordan
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $3,689,033 (99.1% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: Ohio’s 4th District
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
17. Sen. Rand Paul
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $3,760,275 (81.0% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Kentucky
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Mario Tama / Staff / Getty Images North America
16. Sen. Alex Padilla
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $3,907,487 (83.7% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: California
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images News via Getty Images
15. Rep. Kevin Mccarthy
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $3,931,866 (62.3% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: California’s 23rd District
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Drew Angerer / Getty Images
14. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $4,125,817 (80.5% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Nevada
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images News via Getty Images
13. Rep. Daniel Crenshaw
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $4,403,047 (84.9% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: Texas’ 2nd District
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Drew Angerer / Getty Images News via Getty Images
12. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $4,525,387 (94.8% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: Georgia’s 14th District
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images News via Getty Images
11. Rep. Katherine Porter
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $4,611,331 (94.3% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: California’s 45th District
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images News via Getty Images
10. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $4,638,241 (98.0% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: New York’s 14th District
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News via Getty Images
9. Sen. Marco Rubio
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $4,715,355 (83.4% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Florida
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
8. Rep. Val Demings
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $4,806,182 (95.5% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Florida
> Seat status: Challenger
Source: Darren McCollester / Getty Images
7. Sen. Margaret Wood Hassan
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $4,934,312 (80.0% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: New Hampshire
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
6. Rep. Nancy Pelosi
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $5,936,369 (86.4% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: House of Representatives
> Constituency: California’s 12th District
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Mark Makela / Getty Images News via Getty Images
5. John Karl Fetterman
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $6,460,476 (98.2% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Pennsylvania
> Seat status: Open
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
4. Sen. Mark Kelly
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $9,917,199 (95.1% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Arizona
> Seat status: Incumbent
24/7 Wall St.
3. Sen. Timothy E. Scott
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $10,729,935 (91.0% of total)
> Political affiliation: Republican Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: South Carolina
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Andrew Burton / Getty Images News via Getty Images
2. Sen. Charles E. Schumer
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $18,548,558 (93.5% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: New York
> Seat status: Incumbent
Source: Elijah Nouvelage / Getty Images News via Getty Images
1. Sen. Raphael Warnock
> Contributions from individuals Jan. 1 – June 30, 2021: $30,412,598 (87.6% of total)
> Political affiliation: Democratic Party
> Congressional body: Senate
> Constituency: Georgia
> Seat status: Incumbent
Methodology
To identify the 50 congressional candidates raising the most money from individuals this year, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data filed with the Federal Election Commission. We ranked the 50 candidates up for election in November 2022 who have raised the most money from individual donors. Candidates are ranked by the amount of money contributed to their campaigns by individuals in the first half of 2021.Â
Supplementary information on party affiliation, constituency, seat status, congressional body, and total campaign receipts used to calculate individual contributions as percentage of all contributions also came from the FEC.
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