1Q fundraising roundup

The Congressional fundraising numbers are in, and in the Senate race, Senator Arlen Specter is the winner. He raised $1.3 million on his way to a total of $6.7 million in his campaign coffers. However, he is not the biggest surprise of the quarter.

Although Allyson Schwartz (D-13) pulled in a strong as usual fundraising haul ($379k), bringing her total to $2.1 million and Patrick Murphy (D-8) has a low total of $252,000 in the bank, neither of them are the big surprise of the quarter.

The surprise of the 2009 year so far is Rep. Joe Sestak (D-7). He hauled in around $550,000, bringing his total to more than $3, 3 million. This is shocking, considering he is a second-term member of Congress who has already equaled Pennsylvania’s version of Terry McAuliffe, Democrat Joe Torsella, for a potential run at Arlen Specter. The other good news for Sestak is that the recent rise in piracy has gained him a lot of media attention, being a former Vice Admiral in the Navy.

April 21, 2009 at 10:13 am | Comments (0)

A budget that’s more than numbers

When I was sworn in as a member of Congress in 2005, I reached out to secure a committee position on the House Budget Committee. I did so because I understand then, as I do today, that budgets are of critical importance. The federal budget is not abstract numbers on pages – it is a reflection of our priorities and values, and of the America we want to leave for our children and grandchildren.

April 19, 2009 at 6:48 pm | Comments (0)

Schwartz, other House Dems eye Senate race warily

Only a few months ago, they were considered the most likely candidates to carry the Democratic banner and capture a second Senate seat in 2010. Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D-13), Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8) and Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) were all seen bringing different political strengths—and lots of money—to the table, perhaps capable of beating even the invincible Arlen Specter.

Today, the three are mentioned far less often. They have largely avoided talking about the race, while aides have quietly dropped hints that their bosses aren’t rushing to get in line for the nomination. Their reasons run the gamut. All three are occupied, to varying degrees, with President Obama’s ambitious agenda in Congress. Sestak’s office said in December that he wouldn’t run, even though he’s flush in campaign cash and his recent fundraising numbers have only fueled speculation. Murphy spent much of his large war chest in the final weeks of his reelection bid last year, leaving him with less cash on hand than some had expected. And with politicians of every stripe still loathe to count out Specter, all three are sitting in relatively safe Congressional seats that might seem like too much to risk.

April 19, 2009 at 6:17 pm | Comments (0)