Californians are pouring money into Democrats' Senate races in other states

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WASHINGTON — Democrats who once saw retaking the U.S.Senate as a long shot in 2026 have newfound hope thanks to an unpopular president and a California donor machine that has snapped into action.Californians provided the most out-of-state cash to Democrats in nearly every hotly contested race, and in several cases gave more than in-state donors, according to a Times analysis of campaign finance filings covering the first three months of 2026.Sen.

Jon Ossoff of Georgia, who took in more than $14 million overall, received nearly as much from California backers as from supporters in his home state among donors who contributed at least $200 and whose identities were disclosed.James Talarico, a Democratic Senate candidate in Texas, has raised a staggering $27 million so far this year, with California donors contributing just under $1.2 million to back his campaign — second only to Texas supporters among those donors whose names were disclosed.Donors who give less than $200 are not required to be identified in campaign finance reports and made up a significant share of the donors to Ossoff’s and Talarico’s campaigns.Republicans currently have control of the Senate with 53 of the chamber’s 100 seats.This year 35 seats are at play, including special elections in Florida and Ohio.

While more of the seats up for grabs are in Republican hands, polling showing the potential for tight races in several of them has given Democrats hope that they might be able to shrink or reverse their deficit in November.Top Democratic candidates have out-raised their GOP rivals in the most competitive Senate races, but Republicans are winning the cash race among big-money committees that can accept checks far larger than the $7,000 cap on donations to candidate committees.World & Nation Democrats in North Carolina are scrambling to turn out rural Black voters and say the party cannot wi...