CQ Politics Top 10: Best-Funded House Challengers

Congressional Quarterly ^ | April 20, 2010 | Greg Giroux

[Clintonfatigued]

It only took a few strokes of a pen for Ohio car dealer Tom Ganley (R) to become the best-funded challenger to a House incumbent thus far this cycle.

Ganley, who's challenging Rep. Betty Sutton (D) in the Democratic-leaning 13th district in and around Akron, cut his campaign a $2 million check on March 31, the final day of the first quarter. He raised a little money from individuals and political action committees and began April with $2.01 million to spend for his campaign against Sutton, who had $281,000 in her campaign account.

Here's the rest of the 10 best-financed challengers to House incumbents as April began, according to a CQ Politics analysis of reports that were recently filed with the Federal Election Commission. The figure after each candidate's name is his or her cash-on-hand total.

[Clintonfatigued]

Here is the Top 10 House Challengers in terms of cash-on-hand :

Tom Ganley (R-OH): $2,008,047
Rob Miller (D-SC): $1,729,177
Randy Altschuler (R-NY) $1,510,397
Doug Pike (D-PA): $1,173,126
Allen West (R-FL): $1,122,025
Ami Bera (D-CA): $1,128,030
Suzan DelBene (D-WA): $838,878
John Callahan (D-Pa.): $830,558
Matt Doheny (R-NY): $813,214
Steve Chabot (R-Ohio): $801,910

[Just A Nobody]

Ganley, who's challenging Rep. Betty Sutton (D) in the Democratic-leaning 13th district in and around Akron...

Tom Ganley was running for the senate until the republican party elites endorsed and funded Rob Portman and informed Ganley he was polling well against Betty Sutton. Tom then "decided all on his own" to switch races and run for the house.

After contacting his campaign and signing up as a volunteer I was "deeply saddened" he was persuaded switched to the house. Thankfully, only a week had passed and I had not yet sent a check for his senate race.

He is fantastic...strong 3 legged conservative...self made man/millionaire with a love of country. His TV campaign ads in the area were great! He would have made a great senator from Ohio and after the morons we have had he would have been a welcome relief.

Having Ganley in the House would be better than not having him in congress at all, but I would have preferred a Senator Ganley.

[Just A Nobody]

Allen West (R-FL): $1,122,025

Yeah Allen!!! Hope JD is on the next list they put out.

[Tribune7]

ping

[Impy]

It was a good move. He’ll need to spend that money to beat Sutton. We wouldn’t have a decent shot at that seat otherwise.

[Impy]

Great to see Allen West up there.

Matt Doheny is opposing Hoffman in the primary in NY-23. Thoughts anyone?

[randita]

Here’s a little something I found about NY-23-Doheny:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0410/36070.html
Hoffman rival picks up support

[AuH2ORepublican]

My understanding is that Doheny is pro-abortion and that the Conservative Party has specifically stated that he would not get the CP endorsement. That by itself makes it unlikely that Doheny can win the general.

[Impy]

Well we can’t have a split again. Hopefully Hoffman will take the primary.

[campaignPete R-CT]

same folks who supported Dede are backing Doheny. I think Doheny is better than that, shouldn’t have to associate with that crowd.

[Clintonfatigued]

I don’t know anything about Doheny. I am bothered by the fact that Hoffman doesn’t live in the district and doesn’t know much about it.

[AuH2ORepublican]

Hoffman has lived in the general vicinity of the NY-23 for over 30 years. In 2002 redistricting, his home fell outside of the district lines, but a few months ago he moved to a new home within the district.

Doheny is pro-abortion and will not get the Conservative Party ballot line. That means that he cannot beat Owens. I don’t see how Republicans can possibly support him over Hoffman.

[Clintonfatigued]

If Doheny is pro-abortion, than he is not the right candidate for the nomination.

[Paul Kib]

Ganley promises to be a lazy candidate and a "business as usual" Republican congressman. He's been coasting through the primary even though there are 5 others in the race. He hasn't shown up to a single candidate forum (although he did send his son to speak for him at one) and skipped all the tea parties in the area except for the one he was invited to speak at. He also neglected to be interviewed by any of the tea parties. Not a good sign. Money alone doesn't win elections. The state GOP, which has been interfering in elections across the state by endorsing candidates before the primary and sending out mailings (sometimes 2-3 per week), has been doing all of Ganley's campaigning for him. Then of course, Betty Sutton is going to skewer him with his shady car dealer practices and his flip flopping on Cash for Clunkers. The Ohio GOP sure can pick 'em!