Dem freshmen get fundraising burst

WASHINGTON -- Democrats who captured control of the House last year after a 12-year hiatus are dominating the first clash of the 2008 elections: the money race.

The most vulnerable House Democrats — freshmen who won in districts that went for President Bush in 2004 — raised an average of $600,000 in the first six months of this year, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. That's nearly double what Republican freshmen raised. If the trend continues, it will make it difficult for the GOP to reduce Democrats' 231-202 House majority.

"Our goal is to put our members in the strongest position as possible, as quickly as possible," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "We are right on target."

The 42 Democratic freshmen raised an average of $1.8 million to win election in November, half of them in Bush districts. Four raised more than $3 million.

This year, they have picked up where they left off:

• The median amount raised by Democratic freshmen is $503,643, compared to $203,988 by the 13 GOP freshmen.

• Fourteen freshman Democrats have raised more than the $600,000 six-month goal set by Van Hollen. Only one Republican freshman, Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida, has raised that much.

• Five Democrats who won in 2006 with just 50% of the vote have raised an average of $711,000.

• Three have raised more than $1 million: Reps. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Ron Klein of Florida and Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania.

"Democrats are energized and organized, and that's leading to big fundraising," said Nathan Gonzales of the non-partisan Rothenberg Political Report.

Ken Spain of the National Republican Congressional Committee downplayed the Democrats' dollars. "If their goal is to scare off Republican challengers, then they have failed miserably," he said.

Democrats came to power partly by advocating ethics changes. Still, about 45% of their money is coming from political action committees, not individuals.