Members of Congress Seek K Street Cash - OpenSecrets Blog | OpenSecrets

Members of Congress Seek K Street Cash - OpenSecrets Blog | OpenSecrets: "Federal campaign contributions from lobbyists are slightly down this election cycle compared to the same time period before the last midterm election. But Democrats are pulling in more lobbyist cash -- just as Republicans did when they held the majority in both houses of Congress.

Twenty-eight members of Congress and congressional candidates have received at least $100,000 from lobbyists during the first five quarters of the 2010 election cycle, a Center for Responsive Politics analysis shows.

The six-figure recipients include more Democrats than Republicans -- 18 to 10 -- but regardless of party, almost all of these recipients hold a leadership position in the House or Senate. The rest were long-tenured members of Congress or, like Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), came from large states where it's more expensive to run for office.

The numbers include both donations from individual lobbyists and political action committees of lobbying firms.

During the last midterm election cycle in 2006 -- just before the Democrats took back control of the House and Senate -- 36 members of Congress and congressional challengers received at least $100,000 from lobbyists during the first five quarters of the cycle.

Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) -- both facing tough re-election battles -- rank first and third among recipients of lobbyist money this cycle.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and both parties' House majority leaders and whips have received at least $100,000 as well.