ATLANTA — Politics is getting more expensive -- and not just at the presidential level. Data shows that down-ballot races are raking in serious cash.
Just a handful of state legislative candidates have collectively raised nearly $4.5 million this year in direct contributions, an 11Alive News analysis of campaign finance reports revealed.
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"It used to be that you'd talk about maybe tens of thousands for a really hot race," said University of Georgia Political Science Professor Charles Bullock.
Now, it's a different story -- at least in some of the state's most competitive districts.
When asked how much money has been raised in the races he's watching, former Republican staffer turned political strategist Spiro Amburn said: "the most that's ever been raised."
Candidates in just eight state legislative races have collectively raised close to $4.5 million in direct contributions alone this year.
Seven of those races are for State House seats.
- District 45
- District 48
- District 53
- District 99
- District 105
- District 108
- District 149
The eighth is for State Senate District 48, where Democrat Ashwin Ramaswami is challenging incumbent State Senator Shawn Still.
According to campaign finance reports, Ramaswami has raised more than $780,000 this year. Still has raised just shy of $300,000 over the same time period.
In all races listed, the dollar figures only reflect direct contributions. Additional fundraising by supportive outside political action committees raises those totals even higher.
The heightened fundraising comes at a time when Republicans control both the State House and the State Senate.
The GOP is spending to try to make sure that doesn't change.
"They place a high premium on keeping that majority," Amburn said.
Democratic strategist Howard Franklin acknowledged it's unlikely his party can flip control of either chamber this year but said Democrats have their eyes on a more long-term plan.
"I think this is more of an incremental slog," he said.
If Democrats manage to flip some seats in the upcoming election, Franklin said, they'll be able to exert more leverage in the lawmaking process.
The competitive fundraising may also be a sign of more to come as both parties gear up for the next campaign cycle. The Governor's Mansion and a U.S. Senate seat will both be up for grabs in 2026.
Professor Bullock chalked some of the elevated fundraising to a potential "fear on the part of Republicans that if Democrats do well this year that gives them momentum then going into 2026."