The Race

Democratic nominee Shaun Finnie has raised $3.1 million for Texas' open 2nd Congressional District seat. His Republican opponent, Steve Toth, has raised $976,000. Finnie's total receipts are more than three times Toth's in a race the Cook Political Report rates Solid Republican. ​

The gap is narrower in cash on hand. As of Sept. 30, Finnie had $414,000 remaining and approximately $1.96 million in campaign debt. Toth had $168,000 and no outstanding debt. Finnie lent his campaign $1.96 million, accounting for most of his total receipts. His fundraising advantage therefore reflects substantial self-financing rather than exclusively outside contributions.

Who's Writing the Checks?

The candidates' donor bases differ. Finance workers contributed $67,000 to Finnie, followed by investment bankers ($51,000), bankers ($32,000) and investors ($26,000). Toth received $83,000 from CEOs, $31,000 from executives, $27,000 from homemakers and $24,000 from company presidents. Retired or unemployed donors contributed $152,000 to Finnie and $182,000 to Toth. Approximately 10% of Toth's reported receipts came from other committees, compared with less than 1% of Finnie's. These occupation-based figures are drawn from the supplied data and have not been independently reconciled with itemized FEC records.

What to Watch

Outside groups have reported approximately $3.9 million in independent expenditures in the district, but nearly all of that spending occurred during the Republican primary. Much of it opposed Toth, while other groups supported him or his primary opponent, former Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX). General-election independent expenditures have been substantially smaller.

Money doesn't decide races by itself, and outside groups have already spent $3.9 million in Texas, most of it opposing the Republican. Still, Toth's $168,000 in cash on hand is about 40 percent of Finnie's $414,000, and a candidate with far less cash than an opponent depends more on super PACs and party committees to compete on the airwaves.

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