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More than two dozen House challengers outraised their incumbent opponents in the second quarter, sometimes by large margins.
Among those outraised were Reps. Don Young (R-Alaska), Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), Brian Bilbray (R-Calif.), Mark Souder (R-Ind.), William Jefferson (D-La.) and four freshman Democrats. Challengers raising more money included previously unheralded candidates.
Young continued to struggle on the fundraising front, bringing in just $110,000 for the quarter and seeing his cash on hand continue to fall, to $460,000.
Two primary opponents — Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell and state Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux — and top Democratic candidate Ethan Berkowitz all totaled more receipts than Young. Parnell and Berkowitz raised twice as much, while LeDoux loaned her campaign nearly $160,000.
Jefferson and freshman Rep. David Davis (R-Tenn.) were also outraised by primary foes.
In the indicted Jefferson’s case, both state Rep. Cedric Richmond and Jefferson Parish Councilman Byron Lee trumped his $50,000 raised, and both have as much or more than his $100,000 in cash on hand.
Rogers was outraised by upstart Josh Segall, who pulled in $250,000 to Rogers’s $240,000.
Rogers, Bilbray and Souder are all heavily favored for reelection, but the second-quarter reports could be a wake-up call that they face tougher-than-expected races this year.
Some other unknown candidates also made their marks.
In Rep. Judy Biggert’s (R-Ill.) district, Democrat Scott Harper raised $230,000 and nearly topped the incumbent.
In Maryland’s 1st district, Democrat Frank Kratovil raised $360,000 as he hopes to give state Sen. Andy Harris (R) a difficult race. Kratovil now trails in cash on hand just $610,000 to $450,000.
Physician Brian Davis showed that freshman Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) could also have a well-funded opponent. Davis, who had previously underwhelmed with his fundraising, pulled in $290,000 and loaned his campaign another $100,000 to rival Walz’s $430,000 raised.
In Pennsylvania, 5th district GOP nominee Glenn Thompson, who won his primary on barely any money, stepped up his fundraising to $120,000 in the second quarter. His general election opponent, Democrat Mark McCracken, raised just $15,000.
The four freshman Democrats who were outraised were Reps. John Yarmuth (Ky.), Chris Carney (Pa.), Nick Lampson (Texas) and Steve Kagen (Wis.).
Most of those outraised, however, were Republicans, who have fallen behind in the money chase with their new minority status.
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