Ryan-Backed Super PAC Raises $15M in Q1

The Congressional Leadership Fund, a Republican group backed by House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., raised $15 million in the first quarter of 2018, the Washington Examiner reports. 

"Knowing this will be a challenging midterm environment, aggressive and early fundraising has put CLF in a strong position to defend the Republican majority," said CLF executive director Corry Bliss in a statement, according to Bloomberg.

"Donors are investing heavily in CLF's field program, which will continue to expand nationwide."

The CLF has $25 million in cash on hand, much more than their total in 2016, when the group raised only $1.3 million in the first three months, and ended up with $1.9 million on hand.

"Donors are investing heavily in CLF's field program, which will continue to expand nationwide," Bliss added. "With 31 field offices and 8 million voter contacts over the past year, CLF is committed to playing a major role ensuring Republicans maintain control of the House."

The CLF already spent $3 million on the House race in Pennsylvania, where Democrat Conor Lamb beat out Republican Rick Saccone.

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