Iowa lawmakers begin money chase in earnest

Iowa's House Democrats started off the year broke or nearly broke in their campaign accounts.

But with the specter of the toughest ever races next year, Reps. David Loebsack, Leonard Boswell and Bruce Braley are trying to raise as much money as fast as possible.

According to Federal Election Commission records, Loebsack had only $1,538 in his campaign account at the end of last year. And his campaign reported nearly $12,000 in debts.

Braley ended the year with $28,895 in cash on hand and $3,864 in debts.

Boswell was a little better positioned, with $65,275 in his campaign account.

The Democrats emptied their campaign coffers fending off Republican challengers in last year's elections. Loebsack spent more than $1.3 million defending his seat, Braley spent more than $2.4 million and Boswell spent $1.6 million.

The Republican members of Iowa's congressional delegation were in much better financial shape. Rep. Steve King ended the year with $181,097 in political money and Rep. Tom Latham had $591,042

The delegation's Democrats are trying to catch up.

A top Democratic fundraiser, Jeremy Gold, helped Braley raise money last week with a fundraising lunch at Sonoma, a Washington restaurant that serves organic food.

That $ 1,000-a-plate event was just the latest of several fundraisers Braley has held since the beginning of the year. He said he needed to raise money to counter negative campaigning by independent groups that nearly cost him his seat last year.

“When secret donors are allowed to spend unlimited amounts of money to try to defeat you, it's important to be aggressive,” Braley said.

Loebsack has scheduled a fundraiser at Washington's Phoenix Park Hotel at the end of this month. Ticket prices range from $1,000 to $5,000.

“We are holding a number of events this quarter,” said Loebsack's campaign manager, Brian Fritsch.

The reason for all the fundraising? Fritsch echoed Braley's complaint.

“Unfortunately because of the current political reality, where candidates attempt to buy elections and anonymous donors from outside of Iowa are working to influence our elections, it has become necessary to raise money year-round,” he said.

While Braley, Loebsack and Boswell had tough races last year and were targeted by outside groups spending millions of dollars, there's another reason Iowa lawmakers are working so hard to raise campaign cash this year.

Redistricting, mandated by Iowa's slow population growth, means the makeup of their districts will change. And since the number of House seats will shrink from five to four, two House members are likely to have to run against each other if they want to stay in Congress.

Using a computer program, the Legislative Services Agency is required to produce a new state political map before April 1. But the state Legislature can reject it and insist on new ones.

Boswell's campaign manager, Grant Woodward, said he “always expects a battle” and always tries to raise money early in the campaign cycle. But there's more urgency this year because of the uncertainty of redistricting, he said.

“Nobody has a clue about what will happen,” said Woodward.

Boswell has had several fundraisers this year, including a $500-a-plate breakfast. A fundraiser in his district on March 24 will feature House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.

Latham has also kicked up his search for political money. House Speaker John Boehner hosted a fundraiser for him last month and Latham has other events planned in the next couple of months.

King said the “unknown nature of redistricting” has also prodded him to try to raise more campaign money this year.

The lawmakers' success in raising money will be determined in April, when their next reports to the Federal Elections Commission are due.

Craig Holman, a lobbyist for Public Citizen, a Washington watchdog group. said the probability of having two incumbents running against each other will help set records.

“I would expect you'll see the most expensive House races ever in Iowa,” Holman said.