Smith campaign: NRSC budget shortfalls will not affect reelection bid

The budget shortfalls facing the National Republican Senatorial Committee will not affect U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith’s (R-Pendleton) reelection campaign, Smith spokeswoman Lindsay Gilbride said Friday.

NRSC Chair John Ensign (R-Nev.) released a statement Monday morning saying that, because sitting members of the U.S. Senate did not transfer as much money to the NRSC as expected, the NRSC would have to scale back how much money they give to competitive Senate races.

"I recently challenged my colleagues to step up to the plate and help me provide the resources our candidates need to compete in races across the country. It has become clear that my call has gone largely unanswered.” Ensign said.

“I have had no choice but to decrease the total budget of our IE Unit. It is still my hope that my Republican colleagues will engage in this election and help match what the Democrats are doing. If they do, I will adjust our budget accordingly."

Smith has transferred a total of $30,000 from his Impact America PAC to the NRSC this election cycle, with the latest transfer occurring on March 4. Gilbride said that Smith’s campaign has not received any monetary support from the NRSC this cycle, and the news of their budget shortfall will not affect Smith’s re-election campaign.

"We fully plan to have the funds necessary to run a very aggressive campaign," Gilbride said.

Smith, who had $4.47 million cash on hand at the end of last quarter, has not had to rely on the NRSC for financial support. His campaign rival, Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D-Portland), has needed extensive financial help from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in order to run television ads.

The latest statement from Ensign was not necessarily a panicked move, but simply a challenge for sitting Republican senators to give some support for their colleagues fighting tough election or re-election battles.

“There is a lot at stake this election cycle. The Democrats will pass a lot of terrible legislation with a bigger majority,” NRSC spokesman John Randall said.