As you may know, the Arkansas congressional filing deadline has come and gone, and incumbent Dem. Sen. Mark Pryor has drawn no challenger at all – as Monty Python might say, not even a sausage. He also has, as of the last reporting period, $3.6 million cash-on-hand. That’s a lot of scrilla.
So what’ll he do with it? He can donate to other Democratic campaigns, for sure. I presume he can give to state parties, PACs, and perhaps 527s. He can also make an unlimited donation to the DSCC (and I don’t doubt he’ll be asked to make a very large one). But he’s very young – just 45 – and undoubtedly has a long political career ahead of him, as long as he wants one. So I bet he’s inclined to hold on to a lot of that cash, and I can’t really begrudge him.
But I do hope he sees fit to share a good chunk of it. What’s more, without any race this fall, Pryor can also spend lots of time helping out other candidates with fundraisers and mentoring. Be generous, Sen. Pryor!
“So I bet he’s inclined to hold on to a lot of that cash, and I can’t really begrudge him.”
He could give all of it away and still raise more than enough for next time. It is six years away.
Of course, if he has millions in the bank this time six years from now, he might be able to scare away any serious competition.
All four Arkansas members of the House, three Democrats and a Republican, also will run without major party opposition. Amazingly, Vic Snyder never really fundraised at all this cycle.
AR-3 becomes the eighth seat this cycle where Democrats failed to file a candidate.
Data from ARElections.org and arkansasonline.com.
but the Green Papers lists David Pritt, a sergeant serving in Iraq in the army, is running in the 3rd district
In nearby states, we have:
Mary Landrieu, LA
Rick Noriega, TX
Andrew Rice, OK
Ronnie Musgrove, MS
Perhaps he could kick a million or so into the DSCC with the understanding that it would go towards assisting races in the region. And, since he doesn’t have to do much campaigning or fundraising for himself, maybe he could talk to the folks who are maxed out or were planning to contribute, and suggest they give a few bucks to his neighbors as well.
I can’t imagine it wouldn’t benefit him enormously to have a new Senator elected on his border who felt indebted to him for assistance, right?
I think we need to urge Evan Bayh to part with some of his $10.5 million and send a hefty chunk over the DSCC.
there isn’t anyone statewide who could challenge Bayh –and he has a much more extensive fundraising pool to go back to now that he ran for President.
we also should be pushing several other senators to fork over money…
Baucus — he last had almost $9 million on hand and not even a tier 3 opponent. He should be arm twisted into giving the DSCC at least $3 million.
Harkin – another one with not even a tier 3 opponent. He should give $1 million
Durbin – absolutely no race. Could give $2 – $3 million
Kerry — regardless of his race, he can spare $1 million.
Pryor — even if he wants to keep a high cash on hand for 2014, he can give $1 million.
Levin – another $1 million donor
Rockefeller – same as Levin, at least another million
If those very safe Senators all gave the amounts above — the DSCC would bring in an additional $10 million. This alone would be the difference in Alaska, MIssissippi, and maybe even North Carolina.
I personally think Oregon, Idaho, and Oklahoma are just too far of a stretch…and Maine too.
BUT …. this additional $10 million would put us at about 58 seats come November (as long as we win NH, NM, CO, MN, and VA.
Remember that prod to safe Democrats from 2006? It’s time to crank that one up again.
All of them should spread some of their booty around.