Roll Call published a piece Tuesday on Senate Democrats raising money for colleagues who are in tough reelection contests as the party tries to retain control of the chamber. And that holds true for Sen. Max Baucus, who, according to the report, has begun fundraising for and directing resources to Sen. Jon Tester and other Democratic senators on the ballot in 2012. From Roll Call:
Tester, locked in a tough reelection battle with Rep. Denny Rehberg (R), is considered to have one of the most difficult races of the 2012 cycle. If he loses, it won’t be for lack of assistance from his colleagues – much of which has emanated from his home-state colleague, Baucus.
The Finance Committee chairman has raised more than $500,000 for Tester in an aggressive fundraising effort that is ongoing. A Baucus aide also confirms that Montana’s senior senator has taken a special interest in helping Finance Committee Democrats who are up for re-election, including Cantwell, Stabenow and Sens. Benjamin Cardin (Md.), Tom Carper (Del.), Bob Menendez (N.J.) and Bill Nelson (Fla.).
Baucus’ assistance has involved dispatching his considerable network of former staffers to organize fundraising events and raise money for Democratic Finance Committee members. Baucus also continues to headline fundraisers in Washington and nationally on their behalf. “His colleagues on the committee are very important to him, and he plans to use all of his resources” to help, the Baucus aide said.