The RNC reported a flurry of grassroots donations last month. | REUTERS DNC edges RNC in Sept. fundraising

The Democratic National Committee has narrowly edged its Republican rival in fundraising for the first time all year.

In a Sunday release, the Republican National Committee reported raising $7.1 million in September. Democrats on Friday reported a cash haul of nearly $7.4 million in September, while finishing the month with more than $5 million on hand.


The close of the September fundraising period for both parties coincided with the run-up to the October shutdown — a time where candidates and party committees on both sides used the looming fight over spending to tap their grassroots base.

( Also on POLITICO: House tea partiers snub GOP in 2014)

RNC chairman Reince Priebus said the September cash haul ensures that the party will remain competitive across the country.

“It’s because of the strong support of our donors that we are able to build a permanent ground operation and ensure a year-round presence in communities all across America,” Priebus said in a statement.

The RNC reported a flurry of grassroots donations last month — with 99 percent of its cash haul coming in donations less than $200. The average contribution to the RNC in September was $56.

( PHOTOS: Senators up for election in 2014)

Though the DNC edged out the RNC last month, the GOP’s presidential arm has posted consistently strong fundraising numbers all year while the DNC has lagged behind.

The DNC still has $17.5 million in debt left over from the 2012 cycle — while the RNC is entirely debt-free. That debt is down slightly from the $21 million the DNC had at the end of 2012.

On the year, the RNC has raised about $60.9 million — against the $47 million posted by the Democratic Party.

( PHOTOS: Governors’ offices up for grabs in 2014)

Though fundraising in a non-election year typically lags, the Democrats have been in their worst off-year fundraising drought since major changes to campaign finance law went into effect.

According to a POLITICO analysis in August, the party’s fundraising is well off pace for even a typical off-election year.

Follow @politico