Campaign dollars still rolling in

I know it's a long time until the 2008 Congressional elections, but ...

Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains, had amassed $342,000 in campaign cash by the end of the latest federal reporting period, which ended March 31. He started the period on Jan. 1 with $63,000, according to the Federal Election Commision.

Hall beat incumbent Republican Rep. Sue Kelly in November to win his first two-year term in Congress, and he isn't the only freshman with a growing war chest.

Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-Hudson, had $552,000 in cash on had as of March 31. She started the quarter with $44,000 after unseating Rep. John Sweeney, the Republican incumbent, in November.

Contributions from political committees, as opposed to individuals, totaled about 30 percent of receipts for each representative.

Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley, who ran unopposed last year, had a modest $69,000 on March 31.