DGA Breaks Another Fundraising Record on Path to Biggest Year Ever

WASHINGTON, March 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Democratic Governors Association raised more in the first quarter of 2010 than any other quarter in its history, capitalizing on growing intensity from the grassroots and putting the organization on track for a third consecutive record-breaking year, DGA Chair Gov. Jack Markell announced today.

The DGA brought in $8 million through March 31, more than its entire fundraising in the first six months of 2006, the last equivalent election cycle. Since 2006, the DGA has compiled an impressive winning record on targeted races. In the six races where both governors committees have spent at least $500,000, DGA has won four.

"Our donors know the 2010 election is a choice, and they want governors who will move their states forward, not governors who will take us back to the failed policies that caused this recession in the first place," Gov. Markell said. "Just as importantly, our donors are giving because this election cycle will shape our political landscape for a generation to come. Even in a tough fundraising climate, our donors know this is an historic election, and they've stepped up to make sure we have the resources to compete."

The strong first quarter fundraising piggybacks on two consecutive record-breaking years for the DGA and builds on what was already the largest cash-on-hand in organizational history. With $22 million already in the bank, the DGA will spend more on races in 2010 than it spent in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 combined. Grassroots donors are fired up about the GOP's redistricting takeover plan and they boosted the DGA to the $8 million mark with a surge of contributions in the final days of the first quarter.

"Even as we're raising more than ever before, we're spending that money wisely," said Nathan Daschle, the DGA's executive director. "We've trimmed our operating expenses significantly so that we can put more resources where it matters – into the races on the ground – and our burn rate is the lowest it's ever been. We are committed to spending every dollar wisely because the stakes are so high – Republicans are planning to win so many governorships that they can redistrict themselves back to power."

Four out of five Americans will elect a governor in November, with 37 races on the ballot, including marquee governorships like California, Florida and Texas. Most of the governors elected this year will oversee the redistricting process that will shape the political landscape for a generation to come. The DGA began planning for this election cycle four years ago, through Project 2010.

SOURCE Democratic Governors Association