WASHINGTON, April 17 (UPI) -- Many U.S. House Republican freshmen have not yet raised much money for re-election, financial disclosure reports show.
New GOP members raised an average of $176,000 apiece in the first quarter of 2011, The Washington Post reports. In contrast, freshman Democrats took in $287,000 in the first quarter of 2009 and $242,000 in 2007.
The total raised by House incumbents in the quarter was $63.9 million, up 22 percent from two years ago.
Some Republicans in marginal districts who can expect close re-election races have brought in little cash, including Daniel Webster of Florida with $29,950 and Ann Marie Buerkle of New York with $65,000, reports filed Friday show.
In what may be their 13 shakiest seats, districts carried by John Kerry in 2004, the Republicans raised an average of $204,000.
Republicans say many of their freshmen are safe, having recaptured traditionally conservative districts that Democrats had taken in 2006 and 2008.
Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, was the biggest fundraiser, getting $2.4 million for himself and more than $1 million for others. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., had $1.7 million, and Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., $1.4 million.
The top Democratic fundraiser was Rep. Shelley Berkley of Nevada, who is running for the Senate, with $693,000.
