With control of the U.S. House at stake, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg directed more than $80 million toward midterm efforts since September, his adviser told The Washington Post.
President Donald Trump cited a larger figure for his own effort to support Republicans. In an Oct. 20 social media post, he said it would exceed $400 million by the Nov. 3 election. His figure includes spending he says is still to come; the two amounts describe different activity.
Howard Wolfson, Bloomberg’s political adviser, told The Washington Post that $24 million went to Everytown for Gun Safety, which is supporting House candidates, and $16 million went to House Majority PAC. He also identified $2.5 million for a super PAC supporting Democrat James Talarico in the Texas Senate race. Those contributions went to groups, not directly to candidates.
Wolfson said much of Bloomberg’s money was intended to help Democratic House candidates. He described Bloomberg’s aim as a Democratic majority wider than the minimum needed to control the chamber.
Trump said more than $300 million had already gone to advertising, voter contact, rallies and other election activities. He said spending would pass $400 million by Election Day. His post did not identify the funding source, and neither figure represents a verified total of Republican campaign spending.
Federal Election Commission (FEC) records listed $415.8 million in cash on hand for MAGA Inc. as of Aug. 31. That earlier balance does not show how much had been spent by the time of Trump’s post.
Bloomberg has focused on House races in a previous midterm election. Axios reported in September 2018 that his spending had exceeded an earlier $80 million pledge.
Political committees that file monthly must submit their next pre-election reports to the FEC by Oct. 22. The reports will cover activity from Oct. 1-14, ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
