Dems 'play offense' in Congress spending

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- The Democratic Party is spending most of its funds on U.S. congressional races where it's trying to gain seats rather than defend them, records show.

The Washington newspaper The Hill says its analysis of campaign records indicates that Democrats are making good on their pledge to "play offense" and reach for a 60-seat U.S. Senate majority by concentrating spending in states where the contested seats are or were held by Republicans.

In the U.S. House, meanwhile, The Hill said that in the 15 districts where the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has spent the most money, only four of them are districts already held by Democrats.

The newspaper said records show the biggest recipients of national money so far are in Oregon, where the DSCC has spent $3.7 million to help financially overmatched state legislator Jeff Merkley take on GOP incumbent Sen. Gordon Smith.

On the House side, the DCCC has spent nearly $500,000 in Illinois' 11th District for an open Chicago-area seat where State Sen. Debbie Halvorson is bidding to gain a district now held by retiring Republican U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller.