House Dems put more money in defense

House Democrats are adding another $1.3 million to protect vulnerable incumbents, trying to stave off losses in the final days of the midterm elections. 

According to a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee aide, the House campaign arm is reserving additional TV time just ahead of Election Day to help several members who find themselves in tight races. 

{mosads}In Illinois, the DCCC is adding $318,000 to bolster Rep. Brad Schneider (D) on Chicago cable TV and $485,000 on St. Louis broadcast TV to help Rep. William Enyart (D). Both Democrats are being hurt by struggling Gov. Pat Quinn (D) at the top of the ticket, who appears to be a drag on down-ballot races. Schneider faces a rematch in the 10th District with former Rep. Bob Dold, while Enyart is fighting off a fierce challenge from surging state Rep. Mike Bost (R). 

Democrats are also adding $163,000 to help vulnerable Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), who’s fighting off the fiercest challenge of his career for a 22nd term in the state’s 3rd District. The DCCC is also adding another $65,00 to its previously upped buy in Minnesota’s 8th District for Rep. Rick Nolan (D), who is facing GOP businessman Stewart Mills. 

The DCCC is also chipping in $233,000 to protect Rep. Dan Maffei (D-N.Y.) in his race against Republican attorney John Katko in the Syracuse-based 24th District. 

The additional infusion comes after they put another $2 million into a half-dozen races earlier this week. While Democrats had hoped early on to close their 17-seat deficit in the House, at this point they are hoping to simply break even or keep likely GOP wins to a minimum. Earlier this month, the DCCC shifted much of its spending away from early offensive targets to protect its incumbents, many who were hobbled by President Obama’s falling approval rating.