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Democratic Fundraising Hits $586 Million in Q2 via ActBlue

Published Jul 11, 2026
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Summary:
  • ActBlue's Q2 total of $586 million set a record for a midterm quarter, with average donations of $39.
  • The platform handled 15 million contributions and attracted 573,000 new donors.
  • GOP committees and super PACs have raised $985 million this cycle, compared to Democrats' $271 million.

ActBlue just smashed its own fundraising record. But that money may not be enough. The GOP is sitting on a cash pile double what Democrats have in the bank.

A new Supreme Court ruling has tilted the playing field even further. Under the new ruling, GOP groups may now coordinate with their nominees without any cap on spending. Democrats are racing to catch up.

While Republican party committees hold twice the cash of their Democratic counterparts, Democratic candidates have raised significantly more money than Republican candidates at both the House and Senate levels. This suggests that even with the Supreme Court's ruling favoring the GOP's cash advantage, Democratic candidates' strong fundraising could keep races competitive.

Why the Record Number Matters

The platform raised $388 million for federal candidates alone - that is 34% more than the same quarter in 2022.

State and local candidates brought in $150 million, up 4% from four years earlier. Another $48 million went to charitable and civic groups.

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"Behind every one of these contributions is a person who refuses to sit on the sidelines," said Regina Wallace-Jones, ActBlue's CEO.

High-profile primaries in Texas and Colorado helped drive the surge. Another factor was a Supreme Court ruling from June 2026 that eliminated restrictions on how much parties and candidates could coordinate spending. Because Republicans already held significantly more cash, the court's decision handed them a swift upper hand.

The surge in small-dollar donations reflects a broader trend of grassroots enthusiasm among Democrats, even as large GOP donors and super PACs dominate the outside spending landscape. ActBlue's 573,000 new users in a single quarter suggest the party is expanding its donor base, which could be crucial for competitive races in the fall.

The Cash Disparity Between Parties

The Republican National Committee and its House and Senate affiliates held $256 million in cash as of May. That is double what Democrats had in the bank.

But the picture flips when you look at candidate fundraising. Democratic House candidates have raised $848 million so far, compared to $638 million for Republicans. Democratic Senate candidates have raised $443 million, versus $288 million for Republicans.

Because of the Supreme Court ruling that ended restrictions on coordinated spending, political parties can now make their money go further. These ad purchases get the same low rates that broadcasters must give to candidates. Super PACs, however, must pay the full rate for their advertising.

What to Watch

Republican House committees requested additional documents from ActBlue on June 2, 2026, signaling a continued focus on the platform. Meanwhile, polls show President Trump's 2024 coalition is fracturing. Democrats see a chance to flip the Senate, especially after Graham Platner ended his Maine Senate campaign following a sexual misconduct allegation. On Wednesday evening, Platner ended his campaign.

The numbers will be updated when candidates submit their second-quarter filings to the FEC on Wednesday.

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