Bloomberg News reports that Rep. Michael Arcuri is one of several freshman Democrats to amass a significant warchest heading into 2008. He also faces no opposition at this stage, although the National Republican Congressional Committee promises that will soon change.
After Democrat Joe Sestak captured a suburban Philadelphia House seat from a Republican who had held it for two decades, he never stopped trolling for donations. Now, with a $1.4 million bankroll, he’s considered a good bet to retain the seat in 2008.
Sestak, 55, is one of several freshman Democrats who have boosted their chances of hanging onto hard-won seats by using their fundraising prowess to scare off challengers. Others include Michael Arcuri in New York, Paul Hodes in New Hampshire and Dave Loebsack in Iowa.
The article includes a major error, claiming that Arcuri beat former Rep. Sherwood Boehlert in 2006. In fact, he defeated former state Sen. Ray Meier.
In New York, Arcuri, who toppled 12-term Republican Sherwood Boehlert, has raised $656,298, a funding level he didn’t reach last year until three months before Election Day.
Liberals are jumping for joy at the news. Writing on Wizbang Blue, contributor Larkin says the news reveals that “Republicans are now increasingly afraid to take on Democratic incumbent in next year’s election.” That’s hardly true. Tuesday’s near Republican upset in Massachusetts’ 5th District by Jim Ogonowski is an indication that the wave that swept Democrats into control in 2006 has already broken.
