EXCLUSIVE: The group dedicated to electing elections gubernatorial candidates and re-electing incumbent governors reports that it set an off-election year fundraising record in 2021 as it builds resources for this November’s elections, when 36 of the 50 states hold state-and-local contests.
The Republican Governors Association (RGA) raked in $75 million last year across all its elections entities, according to figures shared first with Fox News on Thursday. The RGA highlighted that its 2021 haul topped its previous record of $63 million raised at this point in the 2018 cycle, the last time 36 governorships were up for grabs.
The RGA edged out the rival Democratic Governors Association (DGA) in 2021 fundraising. The DGA on Wednesday reported bringing in a record $73 million last year.
IN WAKE OF VIRGINIA VICTORY, GOP ENERGIZED TO FLIP MORE GOVERNORSHIPS IN NOVEMBER
The RGA noted that its cash haul was partially fueled by what it said was a “significant growth in digital fundraising.” The group touted that it tripled its online donations, increasing the number of donors by 350%, and increasing total donations by 550% from 2020.
THE SIX BIGGEST CAMPAIGN QUESTIONS OF 2022
“The financial support the RGA has received is indicative of how motivated people are to put more Republicans in governor’s offices in 2022. The record-breaking haul last year will ensure our message and our strong conservative positions are delivered to voters in our 36 races,” Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, the RGA co-chair, told Fox News in a statement.
Republican Gov. Doug Ducey of Arizona speaks during a bill signing in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
And RGA executive director Dave Rexrode argued that “our increased support is proof that Americans are tired of the hypocrisy, record high cost of living increases, and soft on crime approach being seen from Democrat governors.”
FIRST ON FOX NEWS: THE TOP OUTSIDE GROUP BACKING SENATE REPUBLICANS BRINGS IN A RECORD HAUL IN 2021
The RGA’s energized in the wake its strong showing in last November’s elections, when Republican businessman Glenn Youngkin defeated former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe of us-regions in a state that joe-biden” target=”_blank”>President Biden< in the very blue Garden State.
Virginia Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin speaks at an election night party in Chantilly, Virginia, early Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021, after he defeated former Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe.
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
While Republicans lost the White House and the senate” target=”_blank”>Senate<
Republicans will also be playing plenty of defense in the purple state of Arizona and the blue state of Maryland, where Ducey and Gov. Larry Hogan are term-limited incumbents.
In the key battleground of Georgia, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp – who’s gearing up for a rematch with Democrat Stacey Abrams – first has to fend off a serious primary challenge from former Sen. David Perdue, who’s backed by former President Donald Trump.
And in Massachusetts, popular GOP Gov. Charlie Baker, an anti-Trump Republican, decided against running for a third term this year.
