Republican National Committee starts off year with $4.7M

The Republican National Committee raised $2.3 million in December and began the new year with $4.7 million cash on hand, it announced on Thursday.

The committee also has no debt, meaning it's in good shape financially heading into the midterm elections. While the RNC is undergoing an internal review on how to improve its ground game, grassroots outreach and candidate recruitment, money is one bright spot for the party.

That's a big turnaround since RNC Chairman Reince Priebus took over the party, which had been left in financial disarray and deeply in debt by his predecessor.

"The RNC now enters 2013 without any debt, allowing us to move forward on a solid financial footing," Priebus said in a statement. "We have important work to do, guided by the upcoming recommendations of the Growth and Opportunity Project, as we take our message of economic opportunity to every state and community. With the continued support of our donors and sound financial stewardship, we will move swiftly to renew our party and grow our ranks so that we can win more elections — in 2013, 2014 and beyond."

The RNC raised a total of $378 million during 2012, a huge haul during the presidential year, though the party struggled up and down the ticket.

The Democratic National Committee has not yet disclosed its December fundraising numbers.

---