Freshmen in money chase

Many Democratic freshmen raised tens of thousands of special-interest dollars toward their reelection even before they were sworn in for the 110th Congress.

Many Democratic freshmen raised tens of thousands of special-interest dollars toward their reelection even before they were sworn in for the 110th Congress.

The numbers show that although they said during their campaigns that they would reform the “culture of corruption” in Washington, many quickly immersed themselves in the town’s lobbyist-dominated fundraising network to fill up their coffers and retire their debt.

While some House freshmen have done little fundraising, more than half of those who had revealed their fundraising activities by yesterday reported raising between $35,000 and $83,000 between Election Day and the swearing-in of the new Congress, usually a very quiet time on the fundraising circuit. Most of the money came from political action committees (PACs) representing corporate and labor interests.

Rep. Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.), who beat a favored Republican incumbent last year, raised only $13,000 since Election Day, her filings show. But Rep. David Loebsack (D-Iowa), who surprised former Rep. Jim Leach (R), has already raised $71,000.

About $60,000 of that came from political committees such as the American Bankers Association PAC, which gave him $5,000 on Dec. 18, and the National Association of Realtors PAC, which also wrote him a $5,000 check the same day.

Loebsack accepted the money from these rival groups, which are well-known members of Washington’s lobbying culture, despite his calls to reform that culture only a few months ago.

“The most recent Republican ethics scandal involving Jack Abramoff only underscores the need to reform our political system to ensure that elected officials maintain the people’s trust in their government,” Loebsack wrote on his campaign website. “So long as Washington continues with politics as usual, few of the changes we as a nation need to move us forward are likely to occur.”

Gabby Adler, Loebsack’s spokeswoman, said that her boss would not let the influx of contributions affect his focus on constituents.

“Since winning in November Congressman Loebsack has received an outpouring of support from a wide range of supportive individuals and organizations in Iowa,” she said. “The congressman appreciates this support and is currently focusing his attention on serving the people of Iowa’s 2nd congressional district because their interests are his No. 1 priority.”

Setting aside contributions from fellow Democrats’ campaign accounts, Loebsack accepted less than $40,000 in PAC contributions between Oct. 1 and Election Day. His receipt of such funds has increased by about 50 percent since he won.

Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), another freshman Democrat, raised tens of thousands of PAC dollars immediately after winning election. She criticized her opponent, former Rep. John Sweeney (R), for skiing with lobbyists but, since her election victory, she has received more than $65,000 in contributions from political committees such as Altria Group PAC, which represents the makers of Marlboro cigarettes. It gave her $5,000 on Dec. 8.

It would be difficult for Democrats new to Washington to avoid lobbyists, even if they tried. The estimated ratio of lobbyists to lawmakers is about 65 to 1. Senior members of the party help freshmen meet lobbyists who are happy to fill up their campaign accounts.

Rep. Joseph Crowley (N.Y.), a rising star in the House Democratic Caucus, hosted a party Monday night at a townhouse on Capitol Hill where he introduced new members of the Financial Services Committee to business representatives and lobbyists. Nine Democratic freshmen are new members of that panel.

At least three of them set brisk fundraising paces in December, before the campaign trail had a chance to cool down. Reps. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.), Charlie Wilson (D-Ohio), and Paul Hodes (D-N.H.) have raised $79,000, $34,000 and $35,000 respectively since the election.

Most of Perlmutter’s total has come from PACs. Last month Perlmutter received more than $65,000 from PACs such as Altria Group PAC, American Bankers Association PAC, Comcast Corp. PAC, and JP Morgan Chase & Co. PAC.

The pressure to pay off debt accrued during the 2006 election cycle explains some of the freshmen’s alacrity in fundraising immediately after November. Perlmutter’s campaign owes $60,000 and Wilson owes $210,000.

Matt Keelen, a former Republican fundraiser who once represented about 60 lawmakers, said that the D.C. fundraising scene is usually quiet immediately after the an election.

“In the past, the December after an election has been a time to set up your office, get to know the city, and retire campaign debt,” Keelen said of freshman lawmakers he once worked for. “Gearing up for the next election is not something I’ve really seen much of. I don’t remember doing many fundraisers in December.”

Meredith McGehee, who works for the Campaign Legal Center, an advocacy group pushing for lobbying reform, said freshman lawmakers cannot do much to avoid becoming part of the system they ran to change.

“It’s next to impossible for a freshman member to arrive in Washington and not become a part of the lobbyist fundraising system,” she said. “The minute you’re elected, the first thing you’re told is that you have to start working on your reelection because you’re vulnerable. I think the current campaign-finance system makes hypocrites of all of them.”

Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) raised about $50,000 in PAC money between Election Day and taking the oath of office. Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) raised about $40,000; Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wis.) about $35,000; Rep. Zack Space (D-Ohio) about $35,000; and Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) about $50,000.

Jim Snyder contributed to this report.