Report: Democrats outspending Republicans in tight congressional races

Last week I wrote about the role of independent groups in supporting Republicans in Central Florida’s tight congressional races where the GOP candidates have been out-fundraised and outspent by incumbent Democrats Suzanne Kosmas and Alan Grayson.

A new report from the Center for Responsive politics finds similar patterns nationwide. In the 92 races labeled “toss up” or “leaning” by the Cook Political Report, the center finds Democrats outspending Republicans by an average of nearly $1.5 million to $880,332 so far, and holding an average of $250,000 more in cash going into the final two weeks before the election.

One South Florida race bucks the trend:

In Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, Republican Allen West has out-raised second-term Democratic incumbent Rep. Ron Klein $5.2 million to $3.2 million. West also ended the third quarter with substantially more money in the bank: $1.6 million versus Klein’s $270,500. The Cook Political Report ranks this race as leaning Democratic.