Carlos Curbelo narrowly beats Dem challenger in fundraising but maintains cash advantage

Miami Republican Rep. Carlos Curbelo raised $560,000 in the latest fundraising quarter, essentially matching Democratic challenger Debbie Mucarsel-Powell's $500,000 haul.

But Curbelo still maintains a healthy advantage in cash on hand. His campaign said Wednesday he has $2.1 million to spend, a record for the campaign. Mucarsel-Powell's campaign said they have about $700,000 cash on hand.

"Carlos continues to draw major support from Republicans, Independents, and Democrats from South Florida and throughout the country – people who believe in his bipartisan approach to leadership," Curbelo spokesperson Chris Miles said in an email. "The American people are done with extremists in both parties who are committed to obstruction and to further poisoning our country's politics for personal gain. Carlos will never stop working to find bipartisan solutions on issues like jobs and the economy, immigration, infrastructure, gun safety, and the environment notwithstanding the petty attacks of self-serving politicians in both parties."

But House Speaker Paul Ryan's retirement announcement on Wednesday could affect Curbelo's fundraising. Ryan traveled to South Florida weeks before the 2016 election to raise cash for his political ally and Ryan's lame-duck status will likely make it harder for Curbelo and other Republican incumbents to benefit financially from the 2012 vice presidential candidate.

Curbelo represents the most Democratic-leaning House district in the country currently held by a Republican running for reelection, though he bested President Donald Trump's performance in the district by about 28 percentage points in 2016.

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