DNC fires its top fundraiser - POLITICO
Description: The committee’s slow fundraising has been a serious problem for the party since the 2016 election.

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The DNC raised $51 million from January through September. But the Republican National Committee brought in $104 million over the same time period. | John Shinkle/POLITICO

# DNC fires its top fundraiser

The committee’s slow fundraising has been a serious problem for the party since the 2016 election.

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The Democratic National Committee dismissed its top fundraiser Thursday after just five months on the job, two Democrats familiar with the move told POLITICO.

Emily Mellencamp Smith, the party’s finance director, was let go in a shake-up of the party’s senior leadership designed to energize the party's fundraising.

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“We are grateful for Emily Mellencamp Smith’s work to help build a fundraising team that will raise the funds to win in 2017, 2018 and beyond. Emily is going back to consulting and helping elect Democrats in upcoming races, including staying on in a consulting role for the DNC at this time,” said DNC press secretary Michael Tyler.

Mellencamp Smith did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

The committee’s slow fundraising has been a serious problem for the party since the 2016 election. Skeptical donors have stayed away from the DNC, while giving more to individual candidates and other committees. The party had just $7 million on hand heading into October, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

The DNC raised $51 million from January through September as it rebuilds under new chairman Tom Perez, who took over in March. But the Republican National Committee brought in $104 million over the same time period.

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Mellencamp Smith joined the DNC in June after leading the fundraising operation for New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan’s Senate campaign. One of the new lead staffers Perez brought in to rejuvenate the committee, she previously worked for other Democrats, including Minnesota Sen. Al Franken and New Hampshire Rep. Ann McLane Kuster.

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###### This story tagged under:

- Al Franken
- Federal Election Commission
- Tom Perez
- Thomas Perez
- Democrats
- Democratic National Committee
- New Hampshire
- Maggie Hassan
- Ann McLane Kuster

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