More than half of endangered U.S. House members raise $1 million

More than half of the most endangered U.S. House incumbents have already raised more than $1 million for their re-election campaigns, Federal Election Commission records show.

Of the 24 lawmakers considered most likely to lose their seats in November, 13 Democrats and two Republicans each raised at least $1 million through Dec. 31, giving them an early fundraising advantage going into the election year.

Their districts and 11 others without an incumbent are the most competitive 2010 races, according to the three Washington-based publications that rate congressional races, Congressional Quarterly, the Cook Political Report and the Rothenberg Political Report.

“The reason for a lot of money at the end of the year is to keep other people out of the race,” Republican consultant Eddie Mahe said. “It’s not because you need to spend it. Any good consultant almost always follows the same strategic imperative, and that is to win on filing day.”

Democratic consultant Glenn Totten said the money can help stave off a throw-the-bums-out mentality among voters.

Only 23 percent of Americans approved of the way Congress was doing its job in a Jan. 14-17 CBS News poll, with 44 percent approving of congressional Democrats and 34 percent approving of congressional Republicans. The survey of 1,090 adults had a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

“All incumbents, no matter what party, need to be as well- financed as possible,” Totten said. “I do not think that the public outcry is anti-Democratic. I think it’s anti-incumbent. They want everybody gone.”

Some lawmakers said the money will help them respond to possible attack ads financed by corporations. The U.S. Supreme Court in January struck down restrictions on independent corporate and union spending, overturning decades of legislative and judicial actions.

“It’s contrary to having a popular voice in the political process,” said freshman Democratic Rep. Dina Titus of Nevada, who raised $1.2 million through Dec. 31. “We know it’s coming.”

Rep. Alan Grayson, a freshman Democrat from Florida, took in $1.5 million and lent his campaign another $115,000.

Two other Democrats in their first full terms, Bill Foster of Illinois and Mark Schauer of Michigan, each raised $1.5 million. Schauer had $1.2 million in the bank.

Rep. Dave Reichert of Washington, one of four Republicans among the 24 most vulnerable House incumbents, raised $1 million. He faces the only challenger who also broke the $1 million mark, Democrat Suzan DelBene, though her $1 million included a $350,000 personal loan.

Rep. Joseph Cao of Louisiana, a freshman, raised $1.2 million. He was the only House Republican to vote for legislation overhauling health care.