Republicans outpace Democrats in party fundraising

Fredreka Schouten | USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — The Republican National Committee raised nearly $10.9 million in May, more than twice the amount collected by its Democratic counterpart, new filings show.

The fundraising haul brings to nearly $62 million that the RNC has collected this year.

The Democratic National Committee raised $4.29 million in May and $32.7 million so far in 2017, according to the party's filings with the Federal Election Commission.

In a statement, RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel attributed the fundraising surge to small-donor donors around the country and "bold leadership from President Trump and congressional Republicans."

The RNC's donors also include some bold-faced names in GOP fundraising circles. Hedge-fund billionaire Robert Mercer and his wife, Diana Mercer, donated a combined $668,000 to the committee on May 9.

Mercer was a top Trump supporter in the 2016 campaign.