Special Report
Neighborhoods Donating Most to Democratic and Republican Candidates
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Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich once described politics as a war for power. As the 2018 midterm election nears, in many parts of the country, the analogy is apt. The outcomes of dozens of closely contested races will have far reaching consequences — so they are bitterly fought, and expensive.
In addition to several gubernatorial races, this year’s election will decide which party will control the House and possibly the Senate for at least the next two years. For many, the election also represents a referendum on President Donald Trump’s first two years in office, seen as a bellwether for how he may fare in a 2020 bid for re-election.
With so much at stake, campaign spending among both Republicans and Democrats is shattering records. According to estimates from the Center for Responsive Politics, total campaign spending is projected to top $5.2 billion this election season, eclipsing the previous midterm spending record of $4.2 billion.
This election cycle, Democratic candidates are out-fundraising and out-spending their Republican rivals. By the time the polls close, Democrats are projected to have spent $2.5 billion compared to the GOP’s $2.2 billion.
While races for House and Senate seats are more local in nature than presidential contests, with the balance of power in the legislative branch at stake, contributions this year are coming from well outside many candidates’ constituency base. In some of the closest races, donations are flooding in from all over the country, fueling the final push before election day.
To identify the neighborhoods donating most to 2018 midterm campaigns, 24/7 Wall St. totalled campaign contributions to the Republican and Democratic parties from ZIP codes using data from the Federal Election Commission.Contribution data is for the period from Nov. 9, 2016 through Oct. 15, 2018. Population and median household income are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2016 American Community Survey.
There is a wide scope of donation recipients this cycle, and the candidate receiving the largest share of contributions from a given ZIP code is not always affiliated with the political party receiving the most donations in the same area. Additionally, fundraising is an ongoing process, and not all of the politicians ranking as the largest recipient in a given ZIP code will be on the ballot on Nov. 6.
Four ZIP codes rank among the largest donors for both Republicans and Democrats. These neighborhoods are located exclusively in New York City and Washington D.C. and are home to wealthy Americans with powerful interests — on both sides of the political spectrum.
Click here to see the 25 neighborhoods donating the most to Democratic candidates.
Click here to see the 25 neighborhoods donating the most to Republican candidates.
Neighborhoods Donating the Most to Democratic Candidates
25. ZIP 10065 (New York City – Upper East Side)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,179,548 (68.7% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $960,463 (30.3% of total)
> Largest recipient: Chele Farley (R-N.Y.) – Senate ($64,190)
> Population: 30,001
> Median household income: $118,310
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24. ZIP 10075 (New York City – Upper East Side)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,202,794 (80.8% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $498,222 (18.3% of total)
> Largest recipient: Christopher Murphy (D-Conn.) – Senate ($58,310)
> Population: 23,353
> Median household income: $114,481
23. ZIP 75209 (Dallas)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,237,102 (85.2% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $289,477 (11.0% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) – Senate ($595,500)
> Population: 14,114
> Median household income: $85,721
22. ZIP 90210 (Beverly Hills, California)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,263,111 (68.0% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,039,565 (31.3% of total)
> Largest recipient: Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) – Senate ($272,600)
> Population: 20,957
> Median household income: $146,250
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21. ZIP 10019 (New York City – Midtown West)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,315,755 (64.9% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,234,279 (34.6% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) – House ($250,000)
> Population: 39,505
> Median household income: $94,477
20. ZIP 90067 (Los Angeles)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,435,122 (81.0% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $538,480 (17.9% of total)
> Largest recipient: Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) – Senate ($70,000)
> Population: 2,355
> Median household income: $120,208
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19. ZIP 10025 (New York City – Upper West Side)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,488,013 (96.5% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $72,258 (2.8% of total)
> Largest recipient: Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) – Senate ($33,000)
> Population: 94,717
> Median household income: $80,025
18. ZIP 19103 (Philadelphia)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,497,435 (91.4% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $228,235 (8.4% of total)
> Largest recipient: Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) – Senate ($58,600)
> Population: 22,911
> Median household income: $70,746
17. ZIP 92014 (San Diego)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,548,662 (95.9% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $103,125 (3.9% of total)
> Largest recipient: Mike Levin (D-Calif.) – House ($47,013)
> Population: 13,665
> Median household income: $120,882
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16. ZIP 20016 (Washington D.C. – Northwest Quadrant)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,560,892 (72.1% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $949,428 (26.7% of total)
> Largest recipient: Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) – Senate ($25,530)
> Population: 35,192
> Median household income: $127,936
15. ZIP 10022 (New York City – Midtown East)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,663,223 (45.3% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $3,158,485 (53.8% of total)
> Largest recipient: Chele Farley (R-N.Y.) – Senate ($302,281)
> Population: 30,262
> Median household income: $123,693
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14. ZIP 20007 (Washington D.C. – Northwest Quadrant)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,700,305 (71.8% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,013,573 (27.0% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) – House ($250,700)
> Population: 26,415
> Median household income: $119,510
13. ZIP 10028 (New York City – Upper East Side)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,738,737 (75.6% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $847,446 (23.4% of total)
> Largest recipient: John Cornyn (R-Texas) – Senate ($56,000)
> Population: 48,205
> Median household income: $111,302
12. ZIP 20008 (Washington D.C. – Northwest Quadrant)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,758,146 (82.6% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $541,932 (16.2% of total)
> Largest recipient: Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) – Senate ($40,000)
> Population: 28,261
> Median household income: $111,614
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11. ZIP 90049 (Los Angeles)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,865,779 (84.1% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $494,557 (14.5% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) – Senate ($336,000)
> Population: 35,581
> Median household income: $117,007
10. ZIP 94301 (Palo Alto, California)
> Contributions to Democrats: $3,238,390 (86.2% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $486,739 (13.0% of total)
> Largest recipient: Mike Levin (D-Calif.) – House ($73,170)
> Population: 17,409
> Median household income: $135,427
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9. ZIP 10021 (New York City – Upper East Side)
> Contributions to Democrats: $3,299,890 (63.6% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,813,100 (34.9% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) – House ($240,500)
> Population: 45,261
> Median household income: $115,681
8. ZIP 10128 (New York City – Upper East Side)
> Contributions to Democrats: $3,349,302 (83.6% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $598,935 (14.9% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) – Senate ($41,492)
> Population: 63,006
> Median household income: $103,817
7. ZIP 10011 (New York City – Chelsea)
> Contributions to Democrats: $3,719,267 (94.1% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $212,482 (5.4% of total)
> Largest recipient: Christopher Murphy (D-Conn.) – Senate ($39,838)
> Population: 50,404
> Median household income: $114,134
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6. ZIP 20815 (Chevy Chase, Maryland)
> Contributions to Democrats: $3,801,105 (89.9% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $398,486 (9.4% of total)
> Largest recipient: Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) – Senate ($51,750)
> Population: 30,269
> Median household income: $146,547
5. ZIP 92130 (San Diego)
> Contributions to Democrats: $4,334,640 (96.2% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $163,150 (3.6% of total)
> Largest recipient: Paul Kerr (D-Calif.) – House ($3,943,027)
> Population: 51,757
> Median household income: $136,855
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4. ZIP 20003 (Washington D.C. – Southeast Quadrant)
> Contributions to Democrats: $5,136,955 (79.9% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,274,819 (19.8% of total)
> Largest recipient: Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) – House ($247,700)
> Population: 29,071
> Median household income: $113,750
3. ZIP 10024 (New York City – Upper West Side)
> Contributions to Democrats: $6,016,567 (79.3% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,506,460 (19.8% of total)
> Largest recipient: Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) – Senate ($960,000)
> Population: 58,516
> Median household income: $118,594
2. ZIP 10023 (New York City – Upper West Side)
> Contributions to Democrats: $6,267,639 (86.8% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $897,288 (12.4% of total)
> Largest recipient: Holly Lynch (D-N.Y.) – House ($860,304)
> Population: 60,307
> Median household income: $115,080
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1. ZIP 20817 (Bethesda, Maryland)
> Contributions to Democrats: $13,098,671 (94.9% of total)
> Contributions to Republicans: $653,161 (4.7% of total)
> Largest recipient: National Republican Congressional Committee ($38,100)
> Population: 36,856
> Median household income: $171,523
Neighborhoods Donating the Most to Republican Candidates
25. ZIP 20003 (Washington D.C. – Southeast Quadrant)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,274,819 (19.8% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $5,136,955 (79.9% of total)
> Largest recipient: Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) – House ($247,700)
> Population: 29,071
> Median household income: $113,750
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24. ZIP 75229 (Dallas)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,278,126 (54.8% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,015,136 (43.6% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) – Senate ($255,000)
> Population: 32,677
> Median household income: $84,227
23. ZIP 60045 (Lake Forest, Illinois)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,386,382 (76.5% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $407,695 (22.5% of total)
> Largest recipient: National Republican Senatorial Committee ($150,000)
> Population: 20,622
> Median household income: $167,073
22. ZIP 33401 (West Palm Beach, Florida)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,389,120 (78.4% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $380,095 (21.5% of total)
> Largest recipient: Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) – Senate ($207,900)
> Population: 26,501
> Median household income: $44,028
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21. ZIP 22207 (Arlington, Virginia)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,398,010 (53.5% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,199,626 (45.9% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) – House ($26,750)
> Population: 33,191
> Median household income: $170,423
20. ZIP 77019 (Houston)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,412,925 (48.3% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,443,071 (49.3% of total)
> Largest recipient: John Cornyn (R-Texas) – Senate ($221,000)
> Population: 21,067
> Median household income: $102,521
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19. ZIP 92660 (Newport Beach, California)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,430,001 (78.6% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $386,068 (21.2% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) – House ($137,700)
> Population: 35,935
> Median household income: $117,263
18. ZIP 60611 (Chicago)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,504,585 (48.0% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,618,293 (51.7% of total)
> Largest recipient: Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) – Senate ($98,600)
> Population: 31,563
> Median household income: $92,545
17. ZIP 10024 (New York City – Upper West Side)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,506,460 (19.8% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $6,016,567 (79.3% of total)
> Largest recipient: Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) – Senate ($960,000)
> Population: 58,516
> Median household income: $118,594
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16. ZIP 94062 (Redwood City, California)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,553,189 (53.2% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,339,647 (45.9% of total)
> Largest recipient: Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) – Senate ($1,003,200)
> Population: 27,099
> Median household income: $135,808
15. ZIP 30327 (Atlanta)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,735,987 (70.6% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $714,941 (29.1% of total)
> Largest recipient: David Perdue (R-Ga.) – Senate ($109,850)
> Population: 23,120
> Median household income: $146,361
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14. ZIP 10021 (New York City – Upper East Side)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,813,100 (34.9% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $3,299,890 (63.6% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) – House ($240,500)
> Population: 45,261
> Median household income: $115,681
13. ZIP 75225 (University Park, Texas)
> Contributions to Republicans: $1,884,605 (60.0% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,221,793 (38.9% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) – Senate ($226,500)
> Population: 21,231
> Median household income: $158,418
12. ZIP 75219 (Dallas)
> Contributions to Republicans: $2,051,886 (51.5% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,853,532 (46.5% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) – Senate ($579,000)
> Population: 22,914
> Median household income: $65,838
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11. ZIP 75201 (Dallas)
> Contributions to Republicans: $2,080,211 (58.5% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,414,384 (39.8% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) – Senate ($477,000)
> Population: 13,562
> Median household income: $84,817
10. ZIP 77002 (Houston)
> Contributions to Republicans: $2,183,080 (77.7% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $610,394 (21.7% of total)
> Largest recipient: Mike Braun – (R-Ind.) – Senate ($320,000)
> Population: 11,861
> Median household income: $68,229
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9. ZIP 85253 (Paradise Valley, Arizona)
> Contributions to Republicans: $2,212,841 (73.9% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $725,226 (24.2% of total)
> Largest recipient: Martha Mcsally (R-Ariz.) – Senate ($200,000)
> Population: 17,461
> Median household income: $129,375
8. ZIP 22101 (McLean, Virginia)
> Contributions to Republicans: $2,405,459 (55.3% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,912,259 (44.0% of total)
> Largest recipient: Patrick Morrisey (R-W.Va.) – Senate ($46,000)
> Population: 30,238
> Median household income: $186,225
7. ZIP 75205 (University Park, Texas)
> Contributions to Republicans: $2,497,118 (60.9% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,542,086 (37.6% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) – Senate ($415,500)
> Population: 24,076
> Median household income: $125,269
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6. ZIP 38117 (Memphis, Tennessee)
> Contributions to Republicans: $2,885,492 (97.3% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $79,501 (2.7% of total)
> Largest recipient: George Flinn (R-Tenn.) – House ($2,545,250)
> Population: 26,203
> Median household income: $69,665
5. ZIP 30076 (Roswell, Georgia)
> Contributions to Republicans: $2,940,699 (97.6% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $71,665 (2.4% of total)
> Largest recipient: Dan Moody (R-Ga.) – House ($2,803,120)
> Population: 44,177
> Median household income: $70,697
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4. ZIP 10022 (New York City – Midtown East)
> Contributions to Republicans: $3,158,485 (53.8% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $2,663,223 (45.3% of total)
> Largest recipient: Chele Farley (R-N.Y.) – Senate ($302,281)
> Population: 30,262
> Median household income: $123,693
3. ZIP 33480 (Palm Beach, Florida)
> Contributions to Republicans: $4,071,197 (80.0% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,004,565 (19.8% of total)
> Largest recipient: John Cornyn (R-Texas) – Senate ($610,000)
> Population: 9,844
> Median household income: $101,750
2. ZIP 77024 (Houston)
> Contributions to Republicans: $7,882,912 (88.7% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $946,103 (10.6% of total)
> Largest recipient: Kathaleen Wall (R-Texas) – House ($6,172,227)
> Population: 37,867
> Median household income: $114,336
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1. ZIP 32315 (Tallahassee, Florida)
> Contributions to Republicans: $27,050,940 (99.9% of total)
> Contributions to Democrats: $1,650 (0.1% of total)
> Largest recipient: Rick Scott (R-Fla.) – Senate ($27,050,190)
> Population: N/A
> Median household income: N/A
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