House Incumbents Feel Safe With 11-to-1 $$$ Advantage for 2014

[n2doc]

By Kent Cooper

Just as members of the House of Representatives come under heavy criticism for a possible government shutdown, the Federal Election Commission provides a reason that House incumbents might not feel threatened.

The commission has just released financial figures that remind us how safe House incumbents are for re-election. In the new commission report, House incumbents are shown to hold an 11-to-1 fundraising advantage over their 2014 challengers.

The commission reported that House incumbents had raised $161 million in the first six months of 2013, while 2014 challengers had raised only $14.4 million, during the first six months of 2013. Today, political candidates and committees close their financial books for the third quarter and will report on Oct. 15.

The receipts of House incumbents were dramatically pumped up by a 129-to-1 advantage in receipts from PACs. House incumbents received $77.6 million and challengers received $603,067 from PACs of corporations, unions, trade associations, interest groups and leadership PACs of other members of Congress. Republican incumbents received $46.1 million, and Democratic incumbents received $31.5 million.

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http://blogs.rollcall.com/moneyline/house-incumbents-feel-safe-with-11-to-1-advantage-for-2014/

[Stargazer09]

1. Sounds bad

But I have to hope that things will change closer to the election. Right now, nobody in their right mind will donate to politicians so far ahead of the election.

And I also have to hope that having more money isn't going to be enough to keep some of the worst offenders in office next year.

[bigdarryl]

2. I said it once and I will say it again

There's NO FUCKING!!! thing as a safe district. Especially with more than a year before the midterms.

[n2doc]

3. You should come down here to Georgia

My repuke CONgressman, Kingston, has a 70% majority Repub district. He doesn't even bother to campaign. He gets 60+% every time, no matter what the national trends are. The Dem challengers barely get enough money to put up a few signs. The state dem organization couldn't care less about our district. None of that has changed during the decade I have been voting against him.

The only way he leaves, is if he becomes our Senator (he's running for that now). And he will just be replaced by another repub, getting 60+ percent of the vote, no matter what. People here do not think when they vote, they just vote for the R.

This is very typical in the South. Gerrymandering has made it so the only risk is from a primary challenge, in most districts.

[bigdarryl]

4. So your telling me there's no independents in that district

[n2doc]

5. Essentially none

Those that call themselves independents are t-bagger/libertarians in my experience, and vote R. The district is a mix of rural poor and rich retirees living in gated communities.

[kardonb]

6. safe district

since when was having more money is a surety of getting elected . We do NOT sell our house of representatives or the senate ! Or , at least , we SHOULD not .

[Ranchemp.]

7. Surely you jest?

[bunnies]

8. +1 and..

welcome to DU.

[Ranchemp.]

9. Thank ye kindly.

[gopiscrap]

10. Welcome to DU