July 18, 2008 06:24 am
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INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s Democratic congressional candidates seem to be raking in the cash this year, tossing some old campaign finance assumptions out the window.
Freshman congressmen are often vulnerable to challengers since they do not have as much name recognition, experience or money as long-serving representatives. But Democratic Reps. Joe Donnelly and Brad Ellsworth are sitting on top of piles of cash this year, according to the latest campaign finance reports from the Federal Election Commission.
Incumbents nearly always hold a fundraising advantage over their challengers, but that’s not the case in northeastern Indiana’s 3rd District. Democrat Mark Montagano, a political newcomer, has more money on hand than Republican Mark Souder, who has been in Congress for more than a decade.
Brian Vargus, a political science professor at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, said things are looking up for Democrats these days nationally and in Indiana.
“All the signs right now point to the Democrats being in very good shape,” Vargus said. “Money’s going to follow them.”
Donnelly had more than $900,000 on hand as of June 30, according to the most recent campaign finance reports from the Federal Election Commission. His challenger, Luke Puckett, had about $150,000 on hand as of April 16, but his report covering the span through June was not yet available.
In southeastern Indiana’s 8th District, Ellsworth had nearly $780,000 at the end of June, compared to less than $10,000 for his Republican challenger, Greg Goode.
In total, Indiana’s nine Democratic congressional candidates have a total of more than $5.1 million on hand, compared to just $2.5 million for eight Republican candidates. Republicans have yet to name a challenger to go up against Andre Carson in the 7th District.
“I think the numbers show just how challenging of a year it is for Republicans,” said Dan Parker, chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party.
Some Democrats may have fat wallets right now, but state Republican Party spokesman Jay Kenworthy said voters in November will make up their minds based on the issues.
“The election isn’t going to hinge solely on money,” he said.
Not all Republicans are struggling.
Three of Indiana’s four GOP incumbents — Reps. Steve Buyer, Dan Burton and Mike Pence — have commanding fundraising advantages analysts expect from longtime representatives.
Souder is the only exception. He had $323,339 on hand at the end of June, while Montagano had $351,701. Even with a slight monetary advantage, it would be surprising if Montagano could beat Souder, Vargus said.
In southeast Indiana’s 9th District, Democratic U.S. Rep. Baron Hill had $1.1 million on hand at the end of June, while Republican Mike Sodrel had about $380,000. Hill and Sodrel have faced off every two years in the congressional race since 2002, most recently in 2006. Sodrel was among three incumbent Republican congressmen defeated in Indiana that year.
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DISTRICT 6:
Republican Mike Pence (incumbent) $739,104
Democrat Barry Welsh $8,093
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