Jordan, Brown Use Campaign Cash to Aid Colleagues
Two House lawmakers are directing money and time toward colleagues in tight races as they weigh future leadership bids.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Republican Rep. Jim Jordan and Democratic Rep. Shontel Brown are using campaign funds and personal appearances to support fellow members in closer contests. Jordan has raised more than $9 million this cycle across multiple committees, while Brown has raised more than $1.7 million.
Why it matters
Fundraising and campaign help are a way for House members to build goodwill across their party conference ahead of leadership contests. Jordan has run for House Speaker twice without winning enough Republican votes, and Brown is seeking the top Democratic post on the Agriculture Committee.
Jordan donated $2.65 million to the National Republican Congressional Committee and campaigned in 115 congressional districts across 34 states. Brown gave $300,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and has spent about $300,000 on get-out-the-vote efforts in Northeast Ohio.
The players
Jim Jordan
Republican congressman from Ohio who has twice sought the House Speakership and is weighing a third run at GOP leadership.
Shontel Brown
Democratic congresswoman from Ohio who is seeking the top Democratic post on the House Agriculture Committee.
National Republican Congressional Committee
The official campaign arm of House Republicans responsible for electing GOP members to the chamber.
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
The official campaign arm of House Democrats responsible for electing Democratic members to the chamber.
The details
Jordan's campaign committees gave around $100,000 to Republican candidates in Ohio and $381,000 to the Ohio Republican Party's state central and executive committee since mid-September. Brown has helped colleagues raise about $200,000 by appearing at events with them and forwarding donors, and gave $103,000 to other Democratic candidates.
Timeline
2018: Jordan ran for House Speaker.
2023: Jordan ran for House Speaker again.
Mid-September 2026: Jordan's committees began giving $381,000 to the Ohio GOP.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Election day, with leadership outcomes depending on results.
Leadership Ladder
Jordan's earlier bids for House Speaker in 2018 and 2023 fell short of the Republican votes needed, and his current cash-for-colleagues strategy appears designed to build the support he lacked. Brown's pursuit of the Agriculture Committee's top Democratic post follows Angie Craig's unsuccessful Senate run, which opened the seat.
Donors to these lawmakers' committees are helping fund party efforts in tight races, which can shape which candidates receive support in the final weeks. Voters in Ohio may see more campaign activity as the committees direct spending within the state.
The takeaway
Campaign money is increasingly a tool for building internal party influence, not only for winning seats. Watching where lawmakers direct their fundraising can reveal who is positioning for future leadership roles.
What happens next
The full Democratic Caucus will decide who receives the Agriculture Committee's top Democratic post after Tuesday's election, and House leadership races will follow the results.
Further reading
Explore more on Philanthropy to see how political giving shapes influence in Washington.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cleveland.
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