House first-quarter fundraising (winners and) losers
Possibly most concerning for Republicans: Ann Marie Buerkle raised just $65,000 / AP Photo
This week’s release of first-quarter fundraising reports offers an early look into what is certain to be a dramatic battle for control of the House of Representatives next year.
Here’s what POLITICO learned from the Federal Election Commission reports:
Freshmen Follies
For several House GOP first-termers and relative political newcomers who were swept into office in November, the first fundraising quarter was an opportunity to prove they have political strength in districts that typically favor Democrats.
That didn’t happen.
Minnesota Rep. Chip Cravaack, a former commercial airline pilot who ousted powerful former Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Obserstar, raised a less-than-impressive $121,000, while Illinois Rep. Bobby Schilling, a pizzeria owner, took in $111,000. North Carolina Rep. Renee Ellmers, a former nurse, raised $117,000.
Most concerning to Republicans: Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle, the nurse who became assistant New York attorney general before coming to Washington, raised just $65,000 despite occupying a Democratic-leaning upstate New York seat that could become a target in redistricting.
Democrats have said for months that these four freshmen are atop their 2012 target list, and there’s nothing in their first quarter fundraising reports that will change that.
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