The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has identified 13 more spending zones, all areas in which they think freshman-wannabe challengers stand a chance of unhorsing a Republican incumbent. And that means that extra cash will be headed into those districts to help make it happen.
Among the recipients, according to CQPolitics.com, are: * Kay Barnes, MO-6, challenging Sam Graves; * Anne Barth, WV-2, challenging Shelly Moore Capito; * Darcy Burner, WA-8, challenging Dave Reichert in a rematch from 2006; * Robert Daskas, NV-3, challenging Jon Porter; * Steve Driehaus, OH-1, challenging Steve Chabot; * Jim Himes, CT-4, challenging Christopher Shays; * Christine Jennings, FL-13, challenging Vern Buchanan in a rematch from 2006; * Larry Kissell, NC-8, challenging Robin Hayes in a rematch from 2006; * Suzanne Kosmas, FL-24, challenging Tom Feeney; * Eric Massa, NY-29, challenging Randy Kuhl Jr. in a rematch from 2006; * Gary Peters, MI-9, challenging Joe Knollenberg (Dr. Jack Kevorkian is also planning to run as an independent); * Mark Schauer, MI-7, challenging Tim Walberg; and * Dan Seals, IL-10, challenging Mark Steven Kirk in a rematch from 2006.
Meanwhile, the DCCC’s opposite number, the National Republican Congressional Committee, was already trailing in significantly in cash on hand, spent a good bit of what it had to hold the vacated seat of former Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) in a special election, and now is being rocked by an embezzlement scandal which is under FBI investigation.
There was at least some good news for the Republicans, however. Rep. Bud Cramer (D-AL) announced his retirement, opening up a Democratic seat in decidedly Republican territory. This offers a golden opportunity to turn a blue seat red. But it goes against a trend in which Republicans exiting federal elective office can be measured by the dozen, while Democrats can be counted on the fingers of one hand.
