Ben Ray Lujan Vs Tom Perez

Fundraising in the Democratic Party

My friend Samuel Ledoux, a Republican from the old New Mexico family, pointed out most of these facts to me yesterday in a phone call.  The thoughts are mostly his, and worth repeating.  A quick check on the internet confirmed the details.

Tom Perez (he pronounces his last name as in “pres”(ident), not the Hispanic "Pérez"), Hillary Clinton’s choice for National Democratic Chair to replace Hillary Clinton’s notorious Debbie Wasserman Schultz, has had difficulty keeping up with Republican fundraising efforts, despite the shameful spectacle that is the Trump administration.

Here’s what Aaron Blake, of the Washington Post, has to say about it:  The $4.7 million (the DNC) raised in April was the lowest for that particular month since 2009. The $4.3 million raised in May was the worst for that month since 2003. And now the $3.8 million raised in July is the worst for any month since January 2009.  Cash balances have shrunk from $10 million to $3.4 million so far this year.  For the full story click here. The Republican National Committee has raised nearly $10 million per month this year and has cash balances of $47 million.  Bottom line:  Perez and the DNC:  $3.4 million in cash.

On the other hand, Rep. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), has been doing quite well, thank you, in spite of lavishing over $5 million on a relatively weak candidate who lost in a solid R congressional seat in Georgia in a special election, a race that became the most expensive congressional race ever.  As of the end of July the DCCC should have nearly $70 million in contributions so far this year, and cash balances perhaps as high as $30 million.  All in all the DCCC has pretty much kept up with the slosh of money flowing into the RCCC this year.  Remember, Donald Trump still has a 78% approval rating among Republicans nation-wide, and Democrats have no heir-apparent for either Hillary or Bernie.  Bottom line:  Ben Ray and the DCCC:  Up to $30 million in cash in the piggy bank.

Score one for our own Ben Ray, and remember, he is being groomed by Nancy Pelosi for a stronger leadership role in a Congress that is likely to be under the control of the Democratic Party in January 2019.  He has ample motivation to raise money.