DCCC Breaks January Fundraising Record With $6 Million Haul

WASHINGTON -- Democratics received a few pieces of good fundraising news on Friday: A few hours after the Obama campaign announced a $29.1 million haul in January, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said it brought in a record $6.02 million, the largest sum it has ever raised during the month.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee also announced strong numbers on Friday, saying it brought in $5 million in January. The two Republican Congressional fundraising committees, the National Republican Congressional Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, have not yet announced figures for January.

According to fundraising data provided by the DCCC, it has received $67.48 million so far this campaign cycle. An official said that the average contribution during that time has been $34.

The DCCC raises funds for Democratic incumbents and candidates for the House of Representatives. Its strong fundraising numbers should prove helpful as Democrats fight to regain the House majority they lost in 2010. Although NRCC totals for January have not yet been made public, the DCCC out-raised the NRCC in 2011, which is unusual for the minority party.

House Democrats are losing 12 members to retirement and have already lost four to resignation, including former Reps. Gabrielle Giffords (Ariz.) and Anthony Weiner (N.Y.), according to a list maintained by Roll Call. Two House Democrats are running for other offices, according to the newspaper.

House Republicans, by comparison, are facing eight retirements and have lost one member to a resignation, Roll Call reports, and two Republicans from the House are running for other offices.

The Obama campaign also had a strong month in January. The $29.1 million in funds raised by the campaign will go to the president's bid for re-election, the Democratic National Committee and other Democrat-supporting committees.