Dem candidates flooded with 'eyepopping' campaign cash hauls: report

Democrats are increasingly encouraged about the midterm elections as they bank tens of millions of dollars in donations, a considerable amount of which will be devoted to retaking the Senate with the House already expected to flip from GOP rule.

According to Politico's Liz Crampton, Democratic candidates are setting fundraising records to be used to win Senate seats in states where the growing unpopularity of Donald Trump is making traditionally red states competitive.

The numbers are staggering, Politico is reporting, while noting that Texas Democrat James Talarico led the pack with an "eye-popping" $27 million raised over the past three months, with his campaign announcing $10 million coming in since winning his March 3 primary.

Other Senate candidates reported similarly strong numbers:

Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff: More than $14 million in the first quarter.
North Carolina's Roy Cooper: $13.8 million
Ohio's Sherrod Brown: $12.5 million in his comeback bid to unseat appointed Sen. Jon Husted (R).
Alaska's Mary Peltola: $8.9 million

The fundraising surge reflects Democratic optimism about Senate prospects, Politico is reporting. While Democrats still face disadvantages due to the traditional nature of the conservative states in play, Trump's tanking approval ratings and the unpopularity of the ongoing war in Iran have the party feeling increasingly bullish about their chances.

Democrats facing competitive primaries did not report as strong numbers, as donors split among several candidates. In Michigan, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow raised $3 million, slightly ahead of opponent Abdul El-Sayed's $2.2 million in a contested primary. In Iowa, both state Sen. Josh Turek and state Rep. Zach Wahls each raised $1.1 million in the first quarter.