Klein challenger West’s money-raising improves his status with national GOP

The National Republican Congressional Committee is upgrading Republican candidate Allen West from one of about 50 “on the radar” candidates to one of its top 15 contenders for 2010.

West is making a second try to unseat well-financed U.S. Rep. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, in Palm Beach-Broward congressional District 22. West, who got little national help and raised only $583,897 for his 2008 campaign against Klein, has turned heads this year by announcing he raised more than $670,000 during the fourth quarter of 2009.

“Having had such a monster fourth quarter is certainly a major factor” in the national GOP’s heightened interest in West, NRCC spokesman Andy Sere said.

With his fund-raising surge, West says he has about $700,000 cash on hand. Klein, who hasn’t announced his latest totals yet, had about $2.2 million in the bank on Sept. 30. Federal Election Commission reports are due Sunday.
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