When you serve in the House of Representatives you never stop fundraising, even when you don’t have an opponent. Such is the situation for Rep. Charlie Dent (R-Lehigh). Despite representing PA-15, a district that is only R+2 according to the vaunted Cook Political Report ratings, has no announced challengers at this moment.

That didn’t stop the congressman, however from raising $174,015 in the latest fundraising quarter. The third quarter covers the months of July, August, and September. Over that time period, Dent also spent a hefty $102,731 yet still has $504,061 in cash left on hand.

A lot of political pundits believed they saw vulnerability in Dent after he raised a paltry $32,935 during the first financial quarter. He rebounded strongly with his second quarter totals, bringing in $372K.

Dent’s fundraising prowess comes at a particularly advantageous time. For the last few weeks, up to and including today, Dent has been one of the most vocal critics of the Republican leadership during the government shutdown. In fact, save for the famously verbose New York Representative Peter King, Dent has been the most public face urging the House GOP to compromise.

Such actions could make him susceptible to a primary challenge but his improved fundraising may scare off potential opponents. On the other hand, just this morning DCCC Chair Steve Israel told the Washington Post that due to the hit congressional Republicans have taken during the shutdown, he expects to recruit more Democratic challengers. Although Israel didn’t name any districts, Dent’s 15th district could be among them. With so much coming to a head in the next few days and a possible end to the shutdown, Dent will need his war chest to survive the next few weeks and come out unscathed.