As we approach the fall election season, Georgia Republicans have a commanding 7-1 fundraising lead over the state’s Democrats, according to campaign finance reports.

One of the more revealing facts: The GOP has nailed 45 contributions of $10,000 or greater since January 2011; the Democrats, eight.

The totals — $7.1 million for Republicans vs. about $963,000 for Democrats — don’t even include contributions to the parties in August, money raised by federal candidates or cash flowing to groups that aren’t required to report it.

That sort of fundraising advantage gives the GOP a very real chance of achieving a “super majority” in both houses of the Legislature, completing the consolidation of power that began when Republicans took control of the statehouse just a decade ago. It also tracks the advanced decay of the Democratic party in the years since.

Subscribers can read our full report on the fundraising imbalance and what it means to the fortunes of both parties in Sunday’s AJC or on our subscription tablet app.