Dems reach new fundraising deal, with boost for GOP states

ATLANTA (AP) — National and state Democratic officials have reached a joint fundraising deal to increase aid to state parties, with an extra boost for those in Republican-dominated states.

The agreement, which follows weeks of negotiations, is intended to allow the party’s wealthiest backers to contribute up to $875,000 annually to a combined fund that, under federal campaign finance rules, can be distributed to party accounts around the country.

Top party leaders confirmed the arrangement to The Associated Press ahead of a planned call later Wednesday between the Democratic National Committee and state party leaders.

DNC Chair Jaime Harrison touted the deal as a “50-state strategy” that honors President Joe Biden’s promise not to abandon down-ballot Democrats heading into the 2022 midterms.

“It’s not just about battlegrounds states but about all states,” Harrison said in an interview. “We know what history says, that the party in power loses seats. But we also know you can make your own history.”

The deal, which Harrison said has the backing of the White House, is intended to run through 2024, meaning the next Democratic presidential nominee won't have to negotiate a new arrangement. Harrison said Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are expected to help Democrats raise money under the model, as they did in 2020, after the Biden campaign established a joint fundraising plan when he became the presumptive nominee.

Under the agreement, state parties will get $12,500 each month from the DNC, up from the $10,000 they received during much of President Donald Trump’s tenure. State parties will have no restrictions on the money, though most are expected to hire more staff.

The deal also extends a data sharing arrangement among the DNC, state parties and other national...