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Retiring Dems Hoard $33 Million As Their Party Is in Need

by: James L.

Mon Feb 22, 2010 at 8:04 AM EST


There's one silver lining for party committees when it comes to retirements: Departing incumbents typically have a bundle of scrilla saved up that they can, if they're so inclined, donate in bulk to their party's House and Senate campaign arms. (They can also make normal, FEC-limited donations to other campaigns, or give the money to charity.) With all the retirements on both sides, there's a lot of money floating out there, so let's take a look at who's got the bucks.

First up, the House. We've compiled cash-on-hand figures for all members who are not running for re-election or have resigned this cycle, with one exception (more on that below):

District Incumbent Status CoH
AL-07 Artur Davis Running for governor $42,889
AR-01 Marion Berry Retiring $572,803
AR-02 Vic Snyder Retiring $4,182
CA-10 Ellen Tauscher Resigned $0
CA-32 Hilda Solis Resigned $227,097
CA-33 Diane Watson Retiring $72,727
FL-19 Robert Wexler Resigned $637,967
HI-01 Neil Abercrombie Running for governor $453,188
IL-05 Rahm Emanuel Resigned $1,179,094
KS-03 Dennis Moore Retiring $443,115
RI-01 Patrick Kennedy Retiring $451,740
TN-06 Bart Gordon Retiring $1,239,633
TN-08 John Tanner Retiring $1,421,767
WA-03 Brian Baird Retiring $551,665
Total: $7,297,867

We haven't listed members running for Senate because they can (and generally do) transfer all of their House money over to their Senate campaigns. However, depending on state law, members running for other office (such as governor) may or may not be able to port over their House warchests. Two Dems fall into that category. As you can surmise from the CoH totals, Alabama law permitted Artur Davis to switch his federal money over to his state account.

Neil Abercrombie wasn't so lucky. He had hoped to do the same, but a state committee barred him from doing so back in August. Abercrombie has managed to whittle his account down by half since then (he has refunded many of his donors' contributions), but if he's looking to do his colleagues in the House a solid, he can give the balance to the DCCC.

A special comment must be made here about ex-Rep. Robert Wexler, who announced back in October that he was stepping down from Congress in order to pursue other opportunities. At the end of September, Wexler had nearly a million dollars in the bank. Since then, he went on a $310,000 spending spree, rewarding consultants, pollsters, fundraisers, and other campaign associates with some very generous payments. Wexler did give a handful of donations to some of his former colleagues, but he failed to give a dime to the DCCC. Robert Wexler is shamefully letting his party down by not putting his ample campaign account to productive use at his party's greatest hour of need. If he doesn't want this to become a permanent black mark on his record, this attitude needs to change.

That said, let's not let Rahm Emanuel off the hook, either - he's hoarding over a million bucks in his dormant House account, no doubt waiting to use that nest egg for an eventual return to elected office. But if Rahm is serious about serving his President's agenda, he might want to consider cutting a generous check to DCCC. In a year like this, we can't afford to have guys like Rahm holding back. Does Rahm Emanuel even care about retaining control of the House of Representatives?

House Republicans:

District Incumbent Status CoH
AZ-03 John Shadegg Retiring $111,903
CA-19 George Radanovich Retiring $192,558
FL-12 Adam Putnam Running for FL Ag. Comm'r $38,289
FL-21 Lincoln Diaz-Balart Retiring $259,473
GA-09 Nathan Deal Running for governor $0
IN-04 Steve Buyer Retiring $400,069
MI-02 Peter Hoekstra Running for governor $33,385
MI-03 Vern Ehlers Retiring $489,646
NY-23 John McHugh Resigned $124,572
OK-05 Mary Fallin Running for governor $84,084
SC-01 Henry Brown Retiring $724,324
SC-03 Gresham Barrett Running for governor $268,121
TN-03 Zach Wamp Running for governor $222,931
Total: $2,949,355

Republicans have slimmer pickings, but that still adds up to nearly $3 million that the NRCC would love to poach out of these idle accounts. Let's hope these members take after Rahm!

Senate Dems:

State Senator Status CoH
CO Ken Salazar Resigned $1,320,792
CT Chris Dodd Retiring $3,439,831
IL Roland Burris Retiring $1,938
IN Evan Bayh Retiring $12,987,399
ND Byron Dorgan Retiring $4,226,616
NY Hillary Clinton Resigned $3,637,036
Total: $25,613,612

Yep - $25.6 million (including Clinton's presidential account), with the biggest chunk of that coming from Evan Bayh. You'd think that Bayh, after putting his party in a bind with his surprise retirement decision, might feel compelled to share some of his resources to the DSCC, but the man is a notorious miser. Perhaps this time, though, he can be shamed into making a meaningful contribution to the Democratic cause.

Senate Republicans:

State Senator Status CoH
FL Resigned Mel Martinez $317,422
KS Running for governor Sam Brownback $4,547
KY Retiring Jim Bunning $422,122
MO Retiring Kit Bond $575,860
NH Retiring Judd Gregg $752,956
OH Retiring George Voinovich $1,622,168
Total: $3,695,075

While the Republicans have less to work with there, $3.7 million isn't exactly chump change. The bottom line, though, is that Democrats are facing an incredibly tough election environment, and departing House & Senate Dems are sitting on an enormous $33 million stockpile. They need to help their party now.
James L. :: Retiring Dems Hoard $33 Million As Their Party Is in Need
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Retiring Dems Hoard $33 Million As Their Party Is in Need | 36 comments
What is the transfer law in IN?
Can Bayh use that for a gubernatorial run? And I thought Hillary's presidential campaign left her in deep debt. What happened there?
I don't know what the law is, but
if Evan wants to repair some of the ill feelings he's created with many Indiana Democrats (myself included), esepcially if he wants to run for Governor in 2012, he'll find a way to take some of that mound of money and help elect Brad Ellsworth to the Senate.
[ Parent ]
I'll believe it when I see it

[ Parent ]
He will
I believe someone linked to an article here and in it, I remember a Bayh figurehead saying he planned on being generous to he Dem nominee and I suppose the Indiana Democratic Party.

I dont know the laws, can someone spell it out for me, what are the max amounts he can donate to both?  Since to direct campaigns, it's FEC limited so like limited to what I can donate, $2500?  

He's got a monstrous amount, I dont think he's going to leave his own seat hanging at least.  But, well Bayh's never been one to lift my spirits.  But Ill remain hopeful on Bayh, how much of that total could he transfer to a gubernatorial?

[ Parent ]
If I'm reading the law correctly
I know Bayh can transfer unlimited sums to the DNC, DSCC and state party organizations like the Indiana Democratic Party. It looks like under Indiana law, the Indiana Democratic Party can then transfer unlimited sums to a Bayh gubernatorial account.
[ Parent ]
I don't think so
I think he could stash all of is his money away and make it through the primary and general easy. He would not get a primary challenge; Hill would probably run for Senate instead of Governor. While I am not a Bayh fan, most Hoosier dems are, at least in my area anyways.        

Proud member of the Indiana Democratic Party from IN-9.  
[ Parent ]
It looks like he can reuse it, and then some.
From IC 3-9-1-12, "Dissolution of [campaign] committees":

(f) If the chairman or treasurer of a committee wishes to disband the committee, the committee must do either of the following:
(1) Give written notification of the dissolution and transfer a surplus of contributions less expenditures to any one (1) or a combination of the following:
93
(A) One (1) or more regular party committees.
(B) One (1) or more candidate's committees.
(C) The election division.
(D) An organization exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(E) Contributions to the committee, on a pro rata basis.
(2) Use the surplus in any other manner permitted under IC 3-9-3-4.

and:

IC 3-9-3-4, "Permitted Uses" [of campaign contributions]:

a) Money received by a candidate or committee as a contribution may be used only:
(1) To defray any expense reasonably related to the person's or committee's:
(A) Campaign for federal, state, legislative, or local office;
(B) Continuing political activity; or
(C) Activity related to service in an elected office;
(2) To make an expenditure to any national, state, or local committee of any political party or another candidate's committee; or
(3) Upon dissolution of a committee, in a manner permitted under IC 3-9-1-12.
(b) Money received by a candidate or committee as a contribution may not be used for primarily personal purposes by the candidate or by any other person except as described in subsection (a).
(c) Money received as a contribution may be invested by a committee in an account with a financial institution, savings and loan association, or credit union, or in any equity account. Any loss resulting from an investment under this subsection must be reported as a committee expenditure. Any gain resulting from an investment under this subsection must be reported as income.

Basically, not only can he transfer between personal campaign accounts, he can also hold his $12 million in equity for two years and, assuming at least 3% interest considering his relationship with the banking lobby, gain at least $36,000 annually without having to even officially fundraise. It's like the law was written especially for him (and let's be fair, it probably was.)

[ Parent ]
that's Indiana law
This regards a federal account.
[ Parent ]
The question was "what is the transfer law in Indiana?"
This is the answer. If he's moving from a Federal to a State race, state law applies as well.

Or were you not following this entire thread?  

[ Parent ]
I totally followed
It doesn't matter what Indiana law lets in if federal law won't let it out.
[ Parent ]
But we know
That gubernatorial candidates in many states, such as Artur Davis in Alabama, can and have transferred their federal money to a state account. Why would federal law treat Indiana any differently? (The answer, I'm sure, is that it doesn't.)
[ Parent ]
interesting
FEC report suggests a direct $1M transfer -- but Alabama has no dollar limits on contributions.  

Oh, wait, neither does Indiana.  I quit.

[ Parent ]
$1M was almost everything he had.
Artur was likely just keeping a bit of scrilla in his House account for miscellaneous expenses, I'm guessing.
[ Parent ]
Cabinet members
Not sure of the others but Ken Salazar and H Clinton are both current cabinet members. My impression is that cabinet members generally aren't involved in politics. I don't know if Pres Obama has different rules for them or not. Its especially difficult for Sec Clinton to do anything even remotely political without the media going crazy looking for what it all means. But the others- Dodd, Bayh, Dorgan- should help out if they can legally. Of course its still possible that they may be looking at future contests and want the money they've raised for themselves.    
That seems likely

[ Parent ]
What seems likely?
n/t

"I'm not a member of any organized political party, I'm a Democrat!"
--  Will Rogers  
[ Parent ]
Not being able to transfer the money
because of being a cabinet member.  Probably not legally but traditionally.
[ Parent ]
Cabinet members definitely can campaign for their party's candidates
not sure about donations.
[ Parent ]
Wexler
At the end of September, Wexler had nearly a million dollars in the bank. Since then, he went on a $310,000 spending spree, rewarding consultants, pollsters, fundraisers, and other campaign associates with some very generous payments
I don't know if one can draw that conclusion unless the numbers are severely dissimilar from what the professionals were paid in prior cycles.
Well
These payments were made after Wexler announced his resignation. Even if the answer is that Wexler owed those people money, the fact remains that he didn't give anything to the D-trip in the same period.
[ Parent ]
Obvious question
Here's my question:

Senator Menendez, Congressman Van Hollen, what are y'all doing to collect this money?

That's a damn good question, and your comment a must-read......
I really do appreciate SSP calling out the misers who need to help their party.  It's a good thing.  When so many of us fork over our hard-earned dollars with nothing to gain personally from it except better government, and we could spend that money on anything else we wanted, then these elected federal Members and Senators who are hanging it up should be a lot more generous than they are.

That said, Chris Van Hollen and Bob Menendez have (or are incompetent if they don't have) all these retiring members' cell phone numbers on speed dial!

Given that the DCCC and DSCC did such a masterful job the previous couple cycles, there shouldn't be any hesitation by members themselves to trust these committees.

43, male, Indian-American, Democrat, VA-10

[ Parent ]
Menendez
don't expect him to be a rainmaker like Schumer was when it comes to fundraising:

"Chuck - wow - he would call all the time, three, four times a week, when he needed something, but I don't ever hear from Menendez unless I initiate the contact," said a Washington-based donor who has bundled tens of thousands of dollars in contributions to the committee.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/s...

19, Male, Independent, CA-12

[ Parent ]
That sounds very bad
The loss in MA may not be Menendez' fault, but this is.

"I'm not a member of any organized political party, I'm a Democrat!"
--  Will Rogers  
[ Parent ]
Agree, that's disturbing if there's a pattern of inaction. (nm)
nm

43, male, Indian-American, Democrat, VA-10
[ Parent ]
Re: Robert Wexler's campaign account
That's just the cover story. In reality, he wasted all his campaign money on cocaine and hookers.
But they were fun things to do.


Follow the elections in Georgia at the 2010 Georgia Race Tracker.
[ Parent ]
probably more fun
when done together!
[ Parent ]
Safe Congresscritters
should start fundraising for once and transfer it to the DCCC/DSCC as well.  My Twin City reps, Reps. Ellison and McCollum both could easily raise an extra $250k to transfer to the committee.
any info on Murtha's funds
before he passed away?
And what becomes of that account?
Congrats James!
This article was mentioned in Pwire.

http://politicalwire.com/archi...

Proud member of the Indiana Democratic Party from IN-9.  

Cool!

[ Parent ]
No one has been more generous to the DCCC than Rahm
Check the records, man...Rahm has given more money than anyone but Pelosi to the DCCC, to individual Democratic candidates...and to the Democratic Party...

He has raised and donated millions.   Your criticism is unfounded.

The fact is simple: Rahm could do more, and he isn't.
He's holding onto his money for whatever reason -- probably to get a head start on a return to elected office someday. Maybe Rahm feels like he's entitled to keep that nest egg, but I can't get behind that type of attitude. Not when things are this dire.

This is not the time to be selfish.

[ Parent ]
You are right
Rahm doesn't need this money at all. If he wants to run for Mayor or something else, then he would have NO problem raising more than he needed. I see no reason why he doesn't give back what he has now. Honestly I am a little disappointed in Rambo.

Proud member of the Indiana Democratic Party from IN-9.  
[ Parent ]
Rahm is letting us all down.
He needs to re-examine his priorities.
[ Parent ]
Retiring Dems Hoard $33 Million As Their Party Is in Need | 36 comments

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