FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: RON HARRIS
APRIL 14, 1997 SHARON SNYDER
IAN STIRTON
KELLY HUFF
CONGRESSIONAL FUNDRAISING AND SPENDING UP AGAIN IN 1996
WASHINGTON -- Congressional candidates raised a total of $790.5 million and spent $765.3 million in the 1995-96 election cycle, representing increases of 7% in receipts and 5% in expenditures from the record-breaking 1993-94 election cycle, and 20% and 12% over the previous Presidential cycle of 1991-92.
The analysis of 2,605 candidates by the Federal Election Commission covers Congressional campaigns' financial activity from January 1, 1995, through December 31, 1996. In the 1993-94 election cycle 2,376 candidates for House and Senate seats raised $740.5 million and spent $725.2 million, which was a 12% increase in receipts and 6%increase in spending over 1991-92.
Summary Financial Activity - All Congressional Campaigns (millions of dollars)
1995-96 1993-94 1991-92 1989-90 1987-88 1985-86 1983-84 1981-82
Raised $790.5 $740.5 $659.3 $471.7 $477.6 $472.0 $397.2 $354.7
Spent $765.3 $725.2 $680.2 $446.3 $459.0 $450.9 $374.1 $342.4
No. of 2605 2376 2950 1759 1792 1873 2036 2240
Candidates
Campaigns for House seats accounted for the increases in monies raised and spent, with 2,289 candidates raising $505.4 million and spending $477.8 million. This was a 20% increase in receipts and an 18% increase in spending over 1993-94 House levels. Republican candidates, numbering 853, raised $266.9 million and spent $251.4 million, a 32% increase in financial activity over 1993-94. This increase partially stems from the increased number of Republican incumbents seeking reelection. At the same time, 827 Democrats registered an increase of 8% in receipts, to $233.1 million, and a 4% increase in spending, to $221.2 million, despite fewer incumbent members running (172 in '96 vs. 232 in '94). The 609 candidates representing other parties raised $5.4 million and spent $5.3 million.
Senate candidates raised $285.2 million and spent $287.5 million in 1995-96, down from $319 million raised and spent in 1993-94.
The following chart summarizes activity of winning campaigns (special elections not included):
Financial Activity of Winning Congressional Candidates (millions of dollars)
Senate 1996 1994 1992 1990 1988 1986 1984 1982
Raised $124.9 $151.0 $118.5 $121.5 $121.7 $106.8 $100.9 $70.7
Spent $128.0 $150.7 $123.7 $115.4 $123.6 $104.3 $97.5 $68.2
PAC $ $29.6 $32.7 $32.2 $31.3 $31.8 $28.4 $20.0 $15.6
House 1996 1994 1992 1990 1988 1986 1984 1982
Raised $321.9 $245.8 $235.9 $198.3 $191.0 $172.7 $144.8 $123.1
Spent $297.2 $230.6 $243.6 $179.1 $171.0 $154.9 $127.0 $114.7
PAC $ $122.8 $97.6 $97.7 $91.5 $86.4 $72.8 $59.5 $42.7
Contributions from individuals in the 1995-96 elections were up 10% over 1993-94, hitting $444 million. They represented 56% of total receipts by all Congressional candidates: 59% in Senate races and 55% in House contests. Contributions from individuals of less than $200 each have historically totalled more than those in other categories listed on page 16. For the first time, in 1995-96, this category was rivaled by contributions in amounts of over $749 each, with both categories totalling $158.5 million.
Candidate loans and contributions to their own campaigns totalled $106.6 million. This amount is down 13% from the $122.6 million reported in 1993-94. Senate candidates used $56.7 million of their own funds, while House races were fueled by $49.8 million in candidate funds.
PAC contributions to all federal candidates last cycle reached $201.4 million, up 12% from 1993-94's $179.5 million. PACs directed $106.7 million to Republicans, $93.9 million to Democrats, and $781,837 to candidates from other parties. Contributions to incumbents far outpaced monies given to other types of candidates. Incumbents received $133.3 million, while challengers received $28.3 million and open-seat races, $39.8 million. PACs contributed more substantially to House races, where PAC receipts of $155.8 million represented 31% of receipts compared to Senate races, where $45.6 million in PAC money accounted for only 16% of monies raised.
The chart below provides amounts (in millions of dollars) and percentages of PAC contributions in Congresssional campaigns for the past four election cycles:
Percentage Percentage Percentage Percentage
1996 of 1994 of 1992 of 1990 of
receipts receipts receipts receipts
All 201.4 25% 178.8 24% 178.6 27% 149.7 32%
Senate 45.6 16% 46.7 15% 51.2 19% 41.2 22%
House 155.8 31% 132.1 31% 127.4 32% 108.5 38%
Information attached to this release provides summary data on the following:
- Overall summary of all Senate and House campaigns based on political party and candidate status (incumbent, challenger, and open seat);
- Overall summary of Senate and House General Election campaigns based on political party and candidate status;
- Comparable statistics for 5 election cycles;
- Median activity for various types of House races and comparisons with prior election cycles;
- Contributions from individuals by size of the contribution;
- 1995-96 independent expenditures for and against Congressional camdidates;
- Six-year financial summaries for 1996 Senate candidates;
- Financial summaries for all General Election House candidates;
- Top 50 rankings of candidates in various categories.