Harvesting the rewards of incumbency, freshman Democratic Congressman Frank Kratovil has expanded his financial edge over potential Republican challenger Andy Harris, according to new campaign finance reports.
Their latest Federal Election Commission filings show Kratovil out-raising Harris by nearly two-to-one. The Democrat is sitting on more than twice as much money in the bank than his Republican rival.
The contest for Maryland's first congressional district, which includes the entire Eastern Shore and portions of Baltimore, Anne Arundel and Harford counties, already ranks among the most closely watched in the nation. In 2008, Kratovil benefited from a strong Democratic trend, but the district clearly favors a Republican and the Stevensville congressman is considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats in the House.
Kratovil padded his money lead in the pre-election year, thanks to the advantages of incumbency. That historic edge appears to be particularly lucrative this year, with sweeping legislative battles in Washington affecting powerful interests across large swaths of the U.S. economy.
In particular, the fights to overhaul the nation's health care and energy sectors helped the Eastern Shore Democrat raise $296,928 in the three-month period ending June 30. That almost precisely matches the amount he collected during the first three months of the year.
Donations from political action committees, representing a wide range of special interests, again accounted for a clear majority of the congressman's campaign take.
Kratovil received more money from PACS--$162,564--than Harris received from all sources combined.
Harris, a Baltimore County state senator, collected $118,299 over the same period, between April 1 and June 30. Most of that--about $91,600--came from individuals, while just over $26,600 was from PACs.
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12 comments:
Why do I feel like fighting my representatives over all the crap they are putting up for votes is taking more time out of my day that mu regular job?
It is horrible when it all becomes about money. ideas are lost and the ones who suffer are the people. we need ideas, real leaders, much more than people who can raise money.
It's his bonus from Goldman Sachs for voting for Cap & Trade. The democrats are more big-business than the republicans are.
It's time to vote them all out!!
Then who do you vote in? peopel with ideas who everyone says have no chance? Who do ou get behind and support?
Staunch conservatives 6:40. Need I say more?
"Power tends to corrupt, absolute power corrupts absolutely"
I think it's time for term limits myself. Politicians are no longer for the people. If they start out that way, it changes soon after they take office. They become corrupted and serve only to keep themselves sitting fat and pretty.
Most politicians are not conservatives. Career politicians are never conservative. The twp party system is broke. You have to look outside them and find and individual with ideas who will stand up to the oppression we now see.
It's easy to make money when you are dishonest and corrupt. It's much harder when you actually follow the rules and are honest like Andy Harris.
Term limits are the only answer. Until they are imposed, we're screwed. You think Reid, Pelosi and the rest of them give 2 sh!ts about us?
They have the 60 votes they need to bring us down.
Check out what Chavez said. He hopes nothing happens to obama because he will bring the USA down.
We already have term limits: they are called elections, and we have them every two years. Instead of complaining about it, get out and fight for your person to get elected!
Perhaps with the money, Kratovil can take reading lessons, since he is apparently too busy or can't read the over 1000 pages of spending bullshit that came his way, and he voted for it anyway.
This comment is ridiculous. "It's easy to make money when you are dishonest and corrupt. It's much harder when you actually follow the rules and are honest like Andy Harris."
Andy Harris Honest?!?
Are you implying Kratovil is dishonest and corrupt?
Specifics please, dont just make ugly statements and not provide anything substantial. Either shutup or putup!
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