DCCC lends Schrader a helping hand

Looks like the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is giving wealthy GOP nominee Mike Erickson a heads up on how serious they are about retaining retiring Rep. Darlene Hooley's seat in Congress. Real Clear Politics reports that of the $34.5 million they have reserved in television time across the country for their targeted candidates, $1.2 million is going into the fifth congressional district to support state Sen. Kurt Schrader's campaign.

The DCCC plans to saturate the Oregon television market (mostly cable) with 5,000 points for the Schrader campaign. This all in addition to whatever Schrader does with what he raises for his campaign war chest and his own personal wealth. That could all change if polls indicate Schrader has a large enough lead in the race, thus redirecting resources to other targets. No indications that the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) will spend anything on Erickson, however, they only maintain $6.6 million in their bank account to date compared to the DCCC's staggering $47.1 million.

In his 2006 race against Hooley, Erickson spent nearly $1.5 million out of his own pocket, but will likely have to spend considerably more to rebound from recent damaging stories regarding his ex-girlfriend and an abortion. While early releases suggest Schrader raised around $350,000 in the second fundraising quarter, Erickson still has yet to release his numbers.

Note: All federal candidate FEC fundraising filings are due by midnight tonight.