Democrat Schauer Leads GOP US Rep. Walberg in Fundraising

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrat Mark Schauer increased his fundraising lead against Republican Rep. Tim Walberg during the past three months, despite an event in the south-central Michigan district headlined by Vice President Dick Cheney.

Walberg, of Tipton, reported Tuesday that he raised more than $265,000 for his re-election campaign in the 7th Congressional District. Walberg, a freshman congressman, ended the period with more than $600,000 in his campaign account.

Schauer, the Democratic leader in the state Senate, reported raising $326,000 in the quarter and entered April with about $750,000 in his campaign bank account. It was the third straight quarter in which Schauer, of Battle Creek, has outpaced Walberg in fundraising.

Cheney attended a private fundraiser for Walberg in Marshall, Mich., on March 7 that raised more than $100,000. Schauer, meanwhile, held fundraisers with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., the Democratic caucus chairman.

Walberg's district, which includes Battle Creek and Jackson, has been a safe Republican seat for many years but Democrats targeted the district after Walberg beat an underfunded Democrat in 2006 by about 4 percentage points.

Joe Wicks, Walberg's spokesman, said the campaign "continues to build momentum" and noted that the congressman has led in recent polling.

B.J. Neidhardt, Schauer's campaign manager, said Cheney's visit helped their campaign raise more than $20,000 from online donors. He said the quarter was "a testament to both Mark's appeal and the hard work he's willing to do to make a change for this district."

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