Contest for top GOP seat on Armed Services panel heats up

With the top Republican slot on the House Armed Services Committee wide open for the first time in six years, two of the leading candidates for the job are currying favor by giving six-figure donations to the National Republican Congressional Committee and thousands of dollars to their GOP colleagues.

Their largesse in this election cycle underscores the intensity of the competition for the post, which promises the winner a sudden boost in power on Capitol Hill and stature at home. Rep. John McHugh, R-N.Y., ranking member of the Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee, has shifted $101,500 from his campaign coffers to the NRCC -- more than twice the amount the eight-term lawmaker gave during the 2006 cycle, Federal Election Commission records show.

Not to be outdone, Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, ranking member of the Terrorism Subcommittee, has given $315,000 to the NRCC so far this cycle. In 2005 and 2006, Thornberry gave less than half of that amount -- $130,000 -- to the NRCC.

Both McHugh and Thornberry have been generous to House colleagues as well. In the last cycle, McHugh gave a total of $2,287 to three campaigns. But this year, he has given $12,750 to candidates in 17 House races, including at least three who are expected to have a seat on the Armed Services Committee in the next Congress.

With his leadership PAC, Thornberry so far has given $64,000 to 30 campaigns. In 2006, his PAC gave $69,000 to campaigns, but the money was disbursed to just 18 candidates. In this cycle, Thornberry also has shifted more than $3,000 from his own campaign accounts to other candidates.

Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., ranking member of the Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee, has trailed his rivals. His leadership PAC has donated $14,000 to nine campaigns, but that includes $5,000 to his own campaign. Bartlett's PAC also has given $15,000 to the NRCC, compared with $85,103 from his PAC and transfers from his campaign account in the last cycle. At presstime, Bartlett had not yet filed his updated PAC report, which is due later Thursday. Campaign manager Bud Otis said he did not expect significant changes in the figures.

A Thornberry campaign spokesman said the seven-term member gives money to candidates he has developed relationships with and to districts where Republicans need to retain or win seats. John Sweeney, McHugh's campaign manager, said the increase in donations to GOP colleagues reflects the lawmaker's rise in seniority. "As his ability to contribute increases, so does his level of support," Sweeney said. Bartlett believes leadership posts should be based on seniority and experience and is not "overly concerned" about doling out large amounts of money to other campaigns, Otis said.

Also telling in the race for the Armed Services post are defense industry contributions. McHugh has received $62,000 from defense firms, up from $40,000 in the last election cycle, according to data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics. Thornberry has posted a smaller increase in receipts from defense firms -- $47,000, up from $36,000 in the last cycle. As for Bartlett, defense firms have given him $45,000, a competitive amount, but $18,000 less than he received in the last cycle.