Challenger Hodes Raises More Funds Than Incumbent Bass
FECKEENE
The Keene Sentinel
Lauren Katims
Boston University Washington News Service
10-18-06
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 – Democratic congressional candidate Paul Hodes has raised roughly $100,000 more than Rep. Charles Bass , according to their most recent federal filings, though the incumbent had more on hand to spend in the campaign’s final month.
But it may take more than a fund-raising advantage to win the 2nd District seat in November’s elections.
Bass has been financially beat before. When Katrina Swett more than doubled Bass’ campaign finances in the 2002 election, Bass won, noted Steve Kornacki, who writes for PoliticsNH.com, a non-partisan political news Web site. “Bass has survived before when maybe he shouldn’t have,” he said.
“It’s the nature of the district and Charlie Bass’ reputation,” Kornacki said. “It’s very difficult to dislodge an incumbent anywhere in the country, and Bass has run and won six times before.”
Hodes challenged Bass in 2004, financing his own campaign, which was unorganized and started late, Kornacki said.
But this time around he has taken a more structured approach, aggressively speaking to voters about what he will do differently than Bass, said Hodes campaign spokesman Reid Cherlin.
“People are really ready for a change,” Cherlin said. “They are disappointed by Bass rubberstamping the Bush administration.”.
According to campaign filings with the Federal Election Commission, Hodes had raised $1,085,135 as of Sept. 30, the end of the most recent reporting period, and had $216,081 left in the bank to spend until the Nov. 7 election.
Lindsay Jackson, spokesperson for the Bass campaign, said they are not worried about Hodes’ success with contributions.
“The congressman’s finances are very strong,” she said.
Bass has raised $918,789 and has $508,134 to spend, according to his filing with the Federal Election Commission.
Members of Congress generally get their campaign contributions from two main sources: economically vital industries from their home district and Washington-based interest groups that are attentive to committee assignments, according to the non-profit, non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics’ Web site, opensecrets.org, which tracks money and politics.
Bass, who is on the House Energy and Commerce committee, has received 61 percent of his contributions from political action committees, most coming from the energy and natural resource industries, which the Energy and Commerce committee oversees.
Hodes, a former state assistant attorney general not as well known outside New Hampshire, has received the bulk of his contributions, 67 percent, from New Hampshire individuals, specifically lawyers, according to opensecrets.org.
The election is considered competitive, even though Bass, elected in 1994, has a slight advantage, according to The Cook Political Report, a non-partisan newsletter that analyzes electoral politics. Kornacki said he thinks this will be Bass’ tightest race.
“The 2nd District can be used as a barometer nationally; the closer the Democrats get to winning the 2nd District, the more Democrats are getting elected nationally,” Kornacki said.
However, “incumbents almost always win,” said Massie Ritsch, communications director for the Center for Responsive Politics.
“The district, on paper, is one that the Democrats should be competitive in, and if Bass ever left, the Democrats would be favored to win,” said Kornacki. But because of Bass’ personal name and his moderate reputation, the Democratic victory is not likely, he said.
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