GOP, Dems look equal in fund-raising battle

The battle for supremacy in the Legislature is presently an evenly matched arms race between Democrats and Republicans when it comes to campaign funds.

An analysis of campaign finance records by The City Paper shows Tennessee Republicans have a slim $21,000 lead versus Democrats when adding quarterly fund-raising totals from state party and state legislative caucus accounts and comparing them between the two parties.

The even state fund-raising totals so far leave both parties on equal footing heading into the summer campaign season when Democrats will try to take back control of the state Senate while Republicans target the Democratic majority in the state House.

In the Senate, Republicans hold an 18-14 majority. In the House, Democrats carry a 53-46 advantage.

For state races, the majority of the Democrats' funds come from their legislative caucuses, not the party. The state Democratic Party has just $19,239 in cash while the Republicans have a little more than $300,000.