Vilsack, Latham put up impressive numbers in Iowa congressional races

CEDAR RAPIDS – In what already is being billed as one of the top incumbent-versus-incumbent congressional match-ups of the 2012 cycle, nine-term Republican Rep. Tom Latham has taken a wide lead in the money race.

Latham, who will square off against fellow incumbent, Democrat Rep. Leonard Boswell, in Iowa's new 3

^rd

District reported raising $587,427 in the most recent quarter. Boswell filed his campaign fundraising report with the Federal Election Commission late July 15 showing he had raised $189,116.

In another Iowa race that is attracting national attention, former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack out-raised posted $424,339 in contributions over the past three months. That's more than 2.5 times what incumbent Republican Rep. Steve King raised. King, currently representing the 5

^th

District, reported Friday evening that he raised $168,711.

Vilsack, who moved to Ames after the new congressional district boundaries were drawn, has cash on hand advantage of more than $150,000.

Latham, soon to be formerly of Ames, plans to move into the new 3

^rd

District that stretches from Des Moines to Council Bluffs. It includes some counties he now represents. In doing so, he'll avoid facing King.

Latham, who started the quarter with $983,509 on hand, now has about $1.47 million, which should go far in Iowa's relatively inexpensive media markets.

Boswell, who will seek a ninth term, reported $285,985 cash on hand.

It's still early in the election cycle. Boswell, who has fended off repeated challenged from the GOP, has been able to raise funds by attracting the help of heavyweights, including Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Latham's close relationship with House Speaker John Boehner should be to his advantage in fundraising and electioneering.

In Iowa's 1

^st

District, Democrat Rep. Bruce Braley of Waterloo started the quarter with $170,000 on hand and picked up another $280,241, according to his FEC report. That leaves him with $304,014 cash on hand.

Cedar Rapids businessman Steve Rathje is considering running against Braley, who will seek a fourth term in the New 1

^st

District, which includes Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Dubuque and Marshalltown.

Democratic Rep. Dave Loebsack is moving to Iowa City to seek election in the new 2

^nd

District. Two Republicans – John Archer of Bettendorf and Dan Dolan of Blue Grass – and a Tea Party activist Richard Gates of Keokuk have indicated they will challenge Loebsack's bid for a fourth term.

Loebsack began the quarter with $121,000 in his treasury and after raising $138,220 has $216,951 on hand.

Neither Rathje not any of Loebsack's potential challengers had filed FEC reports.

Candidates have until 11:59 p.m. July 15 to field their quarterly report with the Federal Election Commission. Reports can be found at

www.fec.gov.