DNC plans major spending on midterm elections

Washington (CNN) - The Democratic National Committee says it will pump more than $50 million into this November's crucial midterm elections, a top Democratic source confirms to CNN.

The money and other services will be worked out by the White House and congressional Democrats and will be spent on Senate, House and governors races later this year.

Democrats made major electoral gains in the 2006 and 2008 contests and now have the tough task of defending their large majorities in Congress and their narrow advantage in controlling the governorships. All 435 House seats, 36 senate seats, and 37 governors offices are up for grabs this November.

Much of the DNC's efforts will come from staffers and volunteers that Organizing For America has in the states. OFA, which is part of the party committee, was transformed from Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.

The Democratic official spoke to CNN on background because the party has not formally announced its midterm spending plans. The story was first reported by Politico.
The DNC says raised at least $13 million in March, topping the Republican National Committee's $11.4 million haul.

President Obama helped the DNC raise $2.5 million at two fundraising events last night in Miami, according the a Democratic source. Monday Obama is the main attraction at two joint fundraisers in Los Angeles for the DNC and for fellow Democrat Barbara Boxer.

It appears the coordination this year between the DNC and the party's House and Senate re-election committees will be smoother than in 2006, when there was friction between the DNC - which at the time was led by former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean - and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, then steered by former Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois.

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