A political action committee linked to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R., Wis.) announced Wednesday that it broke its own fundraising record in the first quarter of 2018, as this year's midterm elections draw closer.
The conservative Congressional Leadership Fund, or CLF, raised $15 million in this year's first quarter alone, and more than 10 times what the super PAC hauled in over the same period in 2016, Axios reported.
In the first quarter of 2016, CLF raised only $1.3 million. Now the organization has more than $25 million in cash on hand, according to a press release.
CLF executive director Corry Bliss said in a statement that the strong fundraising numbers bolster the organization's ground game to defend Republican congressional seats in the 2018 midterms.
"Knowing this will be a challenging midterm environment, aggressive and early fundraising has put CLF in a strong position to defend the Republican majority," Bliss said. "Donors are investing heavily in CLF's field program, which will continue to expand nationwide. 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."
CLF communications director Courtney Alexander told Axios that the PAC's fundraising strategy has changed, by raising funds early rather than trying to raise and spend money closer to the elections.