I mentioned in a Previous diary that lobbyists wanted to fund candidates who would be elected. "I'm so grateful to you; your contibution enabled me to run the ad which moved my percentage from 45 to 49" doesn't pass any loopholes.
That's one reason why the change inperception after Foster's victory on Saturday is so important.
The Republican party depends on outspending the Democrats with money that comes from donations by lobbyists. The lobbyists are looking for a sure thing. (They'd prefer to donate to an incumbent with certain re-election, but that's not always available.) The Foster win shows that damn few candidates in Republican open seats are sure things.
The RNCC is downplaying the loss as best they can, although they poured more money into the race than they could afford to; but this makes their fundraising this much harder.