Tom DeLay (T-TX) faces a well-funded opponent for the first time since 1984, according to today's Roll Call. While DeLay has still out-raised his opponent, continued expenditures have reduced his cash-on-hand as liberal groups, Democratic candidates--even Spock and Streisand--line up to give to DeLay's challenger.
Excerpts from the Roll Call piece follow.
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In their latest filings with the Federal Election Commission, DeLay and former Rep. Nick Lampson (D), who is trying to knock off the 11-term Republican, both reported having slightly more than $2 million in cash on hand at the end of December. DeLay reported $2.44 million in cash available, while Lampson had $2.29 million. The FEC reports cover the period from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31.
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DeLay raised far more than Lampson did throughout 2005, although he also spent far more. DeLay's campaign took in $3.06 million for the year, while spending more than $2.7 million. Of that total, $894,246 came during the last three months of the year. Vice President Cheney appeared at a DeLay fundraiser in Houston on Dec. 5 that took in more than $500,000, an amount that accounts for well over half of what DeLay raised for the entire fourth quarter.
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Lampson, for his part, has received more than $26,000 from Democratic incumbents, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and numerous other Democrats are hosting a "Neighborly Block Party" for Lampson on Feb. 8 in Washington, D.C.
Hollywood actress Barbra Streisand has given $2,000 to Lampson's campaign, as has former "Star Trek" star Leonard Nimoy.
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Read the full, registration-restricted article here.
