Iowa Dems getting help from Washington

Some House Democrats from Iowa are getting reelection help from Washington.

Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) is getting some indirect assistance from the Obama administration. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke will be at the University of Iowa in Iowa City Friday to discuss the ongoing flood recovery effort. He'll subsequently tour some government-backed recovery projects with Loebsack and likely generate some positive local press coverage.

In 2009, the administration dispatched several cabinet members to New Jersey to help indirectly with Gov. Jon Corzine's (D) reelection effort.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (Md.) was in Des Moines to support Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa).

Van Hollen hinted independent voters were key to the veteran Democrat's reelection. 

"He has been successful in winning the support of independent voters in the past, and I'm confident his record will allow him to maintain that support," Van Hollen told the Des Moines Register. "Without getting into the gubernatorial politics there, there are a lot of people there who split their vote, and vote for one candidate for governor and one candidate for Congress."

Boswell has seven Republicans vying to face him but only one has released his fundraising numbers.

Former ISU wrestling coach Jim Gibbons (R) raised $161,500 in the first quarter, his campaign said. He now has some $265,000 cash on hand.