Democrats raise more than GOP in battle for the House

The campaign arm of congressional Democrats is crowing Tuesday about raising more cash in the first three months of 2012 than the House GOP majority. Republicans countered that they have a bigger overall war chest heading into the fall.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee raised $22.1 million this year through the end of March, the best first quarter report in the committee’s history, a spokesman said.

Republicans said they raised $9.3 million in March alone, for a total of $19.2 million year to date. In response to the Democrats’ touting their fundraising lead, the National Republican Congressional Committee pointed out that it ended the quarter with more money in the bank.

The NRCC had $27.1 million cash on hand at quarter’s end, $4.3 million more than the DCCC did.

“Democrats have never been known for being responsible fiscal stewards, but the DCCC touting their fundraising numbers qualifies them for a GSA Jackass Award,” spokesman Paul Lindsay said, referring to the General Services Administration’s controversial spending.

Democrats will need to win back more than two dozen seats in November to reclaim the House, which they lost in the 2010 midterm election.

The balance of power is currently 242 to 190 in favor of the GOP, with three vacancies.

Voters in Arizona’s 8th Congressional District are going to the polls Tuesday for a primary election to choose nominees for a June special election to replace former Democratic Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

Original source: Democrats raise more than GOP in battle for the House