The FEC posted Democratic congressional hopeful Kevin Strouse’s first full fundraising report Monday. It shows the strong support he generated from Democratic leaders and lawmakers in DC, as well as familiar signs of a first-time candidate.
The campaigns of four members of Congress were among Strouse’s contributors, including most prominently House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who gave $2,000.The San Francisco Democrat has long been the target of Republicans and the NRCC attacked Strouse months ago as “nothing but a rubberstamp for the Pelosi agenda of higher taxes, runaway spending and big government.”
Pelosi’s donation, while indicative of Strouse’s support among establishment Democrats, is by no means uncommon. Pelosi is well known for her fundraising prowess. A 2012 NPR report stated she had raised about $300 million for Democrats in her years as leader. Her ability to provide financial support has been a central component of her strength as party leader since she was elected to the position in 2002.
Strouse also received $18,500 in money from political action committees such as $5,000 from Ameripac, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer’s PAC.
The DCCC also gave $1,000 to the campaign – little surprise as they have backed Strouse for months and even held a fundraiser for him in June. Strouse made DC connections while working for the CIA Counterterrorism Center, which he joined after leaving the Army.
While the candidate’s report showed he had received some high-profile support, there were also some typical signs of a first-time candidacy. For instance, Strouse gave over $35,000 to his own campaign and was able to raise another $16,000 from family members. It gives Strouse a handy response to those who accuse him of being insufficiently committed to the district, given that he moved to Bucks County earlier this year.
Fitzpatrick
The financial report from Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, however, shows all the signs of a man who has run and won many races in the past. He raised $255,475 of his $501,894 Q2 total from PACs – about 51% of his total (compared to Strouse’s campaign whose PAC money made up only 7% of his quarterly total).
He wasn’t without his controversial and high-profile supporters. For instance, he raised $2,500 from KOCHPAC, a campaign organization run by controversial industrialists Charles and David Koch, who are as despised on the left as Nancy Pelosi is on the right.
The three-term congressman also received plenty of help from his party. House Speaker John Boehner’s leadership PAC gave Fitzpatrick $10,000 this cycle in addition to another $4,000 from the Speaker’s campaign. The National Republican Congressional Committee gave him $5,000.
Strouse’s primary opponent, Shaughnessy Naughton has yet to release her fundraising numbers or report her filing to the FEC.
One Response
Judging from this and the earlier article, it would appear that the Bucks County D’s who might be more experienced potential-candidates are waiting until 2016…after Mike completes his three terms.