Midwest Madness

As late-breaking 2ndQ reports emerge from a trio of states (KS, MI, MO), both parties can find tidbits to crow about. Dems will certainly be pleased that state Sen. Mark Schauer (D) outraised Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI 07) and now leads him in CoH, while in MI-09, ex-MI Lottery Commis. Gary Peters (D) now boasts over $1M CoH (about $800K less than Rep. Joe Knollenberg, however.) Likewise, ex-KC Mayor Kay Barnes (D) surpassed Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO 06) in 2ndQ hauls and is edging him out in CoH as well.

-- KS is something of a bright spot for GOPers, as Rep. Nancy Boyda (D-KS 02) had a disappointing quarter, while Treas. Lynn Jenkins (R) enters the homestretch of her primary with twice as much CoH as ex-Rep. Jim Ryun (R) (though he raised and spent far more than her the past 3 months.) Despite the fact that KS-03 had fallen a bit off everyone's radar, Rep. Dennis Moore (D) was outraised by state Sen. Nick Jordan (R) this quarter, although Moore still has nearly twice the CoH.

-- But looming over all this fundraising talk, as always, is the fact that the DCCC will have far greater resources to provide last-minute aid to its incumbents and challengers, something the NRCC will simply be unable to do. This means GOPers like Walberg, who are struggling to keep up with their challengers, can't rely on the cavalry to come in and save the day this October.