House colleagues ante up for Dent

As he faces the unusual possibility of being outspent by a House challenger, Congressman Charlie Dent (R-15) is getting a little help from his friends on Capitol Hill—and using a nice chunk of change to help other Republican candidates and committees.

Dent raised about $286,000 in the last three months of 2009, finishing the year with about $612,000 on hand, according to campaign finance data. Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan, a top Democratic recruit, raised about $380,000 and had about $630,000.

With Dent seen as one of the Democrats’ top targets in Pennsylvania, House members are stepping up to the plate for him, including House Minority Leader John Boehner and Congressman Pete Sessions (R-Texas), who chairs the National Republican Congressional Committee. Political action committees affiliated with the two lawmakers each gave Dent $2,000. Dent also got help from Congressmen Ed Royce (R-Ca.) and Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.), as well as Pennsylvania members Tim Murphy (R-18) and Glenn Thompson (R-5).

And despite the tight money race he’s in, Dent still found money to spread around to local party committees and other candidates. In addition to a donation to former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan’s campaign in the 7th District, Dent gave money to local GOP committees in Northampton and Lehigh Counties.