Boswell opponent has fundraising success

DES MOINES (AP) – Democratic U.S. Rep. Leonard Boswell is getting a stiff financial challenge from at least one potential Republican opponent fighting for the right to oppose him, according to new contribution disclosures.

A report to the Federal Election Commission shows former Iowa State University wrestling coach Jim Gibbons raised $207,310 in the first six weeks of his campaign, and ended 2009 with $205,069.90 in the bank.

FEC disclosures, which were due Jan. 31, showed Boswell raised $169,621 in the fourth quarter of 2009, though he posted a bank balance of $462,193 at the end of the year.

Though central Iowa’s 3rd District has a solid edge in registered Democrats, a string of Republicans are seeking the right to oppose Boswell in November. They hope that an anti-incumbent mood will overcome that voter registration advantage.

According to state election records, there were 155,208 Democrats in the district, 118,809 Republicans and 127,788 people who registered without declaring a party preference.

The 3rd District includes Des Moines.

While Gibbons is the best financed of the Republicans, two others also filed contribution disclosures.

David Funk reported raising $38,170, with $16,508 in campaign savings. State Sen. Brad Zaun reported raising $25,600 in the fourth quarter, with $30,507 in savings.

Lesser-known GOP activists Patrick Bertroche and Mark Rees also have announced plans to seek the GOP nomination, but they didn’t have disclosures on file with the FEC. Rees issued a statement, however, saying he ended the year with $52,500 in the bank

Incumbents elsewhere were faring much better, with 2nd District Rep. David Loebsack reporting $336,311 in the bank while 1st District Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley reported $538,009 in the bank. Both far outstripped potential Republican opponents.

The FEC reports for Republican Reps. Tom Latham and Steve King hadn’t been updated Monday, but King said he had $173,833 in the bank at the end of September and Latham reported $419,537 in cash on hand at that time.
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