A fortune-telling fairground attraction bearing the likeness of US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump stands at Washington Square Park in New York on October 14, 2016. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Republican National Committee said Friday it raised a total of 39.4 million dollars last month, one of its best months in this cycle's fundraising but lagging behind previous presidential election years.
"Our supporters are enthusiastic about (Republican presidential nominee) Donald Trump, and as a result this was one of the best months in RNC history for small dollar fundraising," RNC Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement.
The sum brought the RNC fundraising haul for this cycle to more than 260 million dollars, with 56.6 million dollar cash on hand, according to the committee, noting 98 percent of its donations came in increments of 200 dollars or less, with September's average donation being 63 dollars. The RNC also reported a 7.7 million dollars in debt.
However, the haul is disappointing in comparison with historic records. In the same month of 2012, the RNC raised 48.4 million dollars and finished the month with 82.6-million-dollar cash on hand, according to a TheHill news report quoting data from the Federal Election Commission. In September 2008, the figures were 67.2 million and 77.5 million dollars respectively.
With the backing of Trump's campaign, the RNC has transferred 4.5 million dollars to the National Republican Senatorial Committee and 1.9 million dollars to the National Republican Congressional Committee to boost Senate and House candidates, the RNC said.
"The Trump campaign is happy to see resources being directed to the NRSC and NRCC in order to keep Republican majorities in the House and the Senate this cycle," Trump campaign CEO Steve Bannon said in a statement.
Earlier this week, a Politico analysis of campaign finance records revealed that the RNC has not spent anything on commercials boosting Trump since he emerged as the party's likely nominee in May. In comparison, the RNC spent tens of millions of dollars in 2008 and 2002 on supporting its nominees or attacking their Democratic rivals via TV ads, direct mail and phone banks.
However, the RNC insists that it's doing everything in its power to elect the New York billionaire, citing it has shifted focus this year, investing in a massive nationwide organizational effort instead of TV ads, which it sees as an inefficient use of resources.
"With our ground game fully funded, we will continue to raise and spend on additional resources that will put Donald Trump in the White House with Republican majorities in the House and Senate," said Priebus on Friday.
A Fox News poll issued Thursday shows Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton now takes 7-point lead over Trump, who has suffered from deep division and chaos within the party since a 2005 tape recording Trump's lewd remarks about women went pubic earlier this month.
