CASH COW: Democratic House candidates in competitive California districts have raked in millions in campaign contributions through the summer and early fall, in some cases increasing their fundraising by more than 100 percent from the second to third quarter, according to internal figures. The numbers the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee shared exclusively with Playbook show fundraising ramping up over the past few months as the battle for seats that could determine the balance of Congress hits a fever pitch. The jump is most pronounced in the Central Valley, where Democrat Adam Gray is challenging Republican Rep. John Duarte, and in Southern California, where Democrat George Whitesides is trying to oust GOP Rep. Mike Garcia. “Voters can clearly see that these vulnerable Republicans are merely far-right enablers who are wasting taxpayers’ dime advocating on behalf of Donald Trump’s Project 2025 agenda rather than for their communities,” said Dan Gottlieb, a DCCC spokesperson, in a statement. “Californians are ready to route the House majority right through their state.” The committee did not share cash on hand numbers, and Federal Election Commission campaign finance filings are not due until Oct. 15. The National Republican Congressional Committee did not provide third quarter numbers for California GOP candidates. But, according to a Playbook analysis, Democrats had been solidly outraising Republicans in all the state’s closest House races during the previous quarter. An NRCC spokesperson said the GOP is also drawing signifcant donor dollars. “California House Republicans have posted impressive fundraising totals this cycle powered by broad enthusiasm for their work to fight inflation, the border crisis and crime," said NRCC's Ben Petersen. "Extreme Democrats sell out California families at every turn because the cash they get from Newsom, Pelosi and radical soft-on-crime donors comes with strings attached.” Here’s the fundraising breakdown for the tightest congressional battles we’re watching. District 13: Rep. John Duarte (R) vs. Adam Gray (D) Gray has increased his fundraising the most of any swing-district Democrat, taking in $2.2 million during the third quarter. That means he’s up nearly 122 percent from the last filing period, when he raised almost $992,000. Gray — who’s trying to flip this Central Valley seat — already had a big cash advantage over Duarte, who had raised nearly $463,000 last quarter. District 22: Rep. David Valadao (R) vs. Rudy Salas (D) In the other Central Valley showdown, Democratic challenger Salas improved his quarter-over-quarter takings by about 61 percent, raising $2.1 million. Incumbent Valadao had about $615,000 in receipts during the last filing period, trailing Salas’ $1.3 million. District 27: Rep. Mike Garcia (R) vs. George Whitesides (D) Whitesides — who’s challenging a vulnerable Garcia for this north Los Angeles County seat — boosted his fundraising by nearly 92 percent from the last filing period. He took in $2.8 million, up from nearly $1.5 million during the previous quarter. Garcia was lagging behind in Q2 with about $731,000 in receipts. District 45: Rep. Michelle Steel (R) vs. Derek Tran (D) This tight Orange County race features the closest fundraising match-up. Last quarter, Tran took in nearly $1.3 million, besting Steel by only about $242,000. Tran increased his receipts by almost 55 percent quarter-over-quarter, taking in $2 million during this latest filing period. District 41: Rep. Ken Calvert (R) vs. Will Rollins (D) Challenger Rollins raised the most of any swing Democrat this quarter, pulling in a staggering $3.6 million in his quest to unseat Riverside County Rep. Calvert. That’s a nearly 62 percent jump from the last filing period, when the former federal prosecutor took in about $2.2 million. Calvert trailed by nearly $848,000 during the previous quarter. District 47: State Sen. Dave Min (D) vs. Scott Baugh (R) In the race to fill Rep. Katie Porter’s open Orange County seat, Min raked in $2 million during the last filing period, besting his previous receipts by about 45 percent. He raised almost $1.4 million then, beating Baugh by nearly $838,000. — with help from Melanie Mason IT’S TUESDAY AFTERNOON. This is California Playbook PM, a POLITICO newsletter that serves as an afternoon temperature check on California politics and a look at what our policy reporters are watching. Got tips or suggestions? Shoot an email to lholden@politico.com.
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