Challengers outraise GOP incumbents in 1st quarter

WASHINGTON—Democratic challengers raised more money than Republican incumbents in 20 competitive House races from California to Virginia during the first three months of the year, and President Barack Obama's party has the upper-hand in eight other districts where congressmen are retiring.

The early look at fundraising, laid out in reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, suggests momentum at this point may be on the Democrats' side as the party tries to wrest control of the House from the GOP.

Even so, the amounts candidates themselves have raised so far provide only a slice of the broader campaign finance picture.

Washington-based campaign committees that work to elect House Republicans and Democrats are sitting on stockpiles of cash they'll spend on the most competitive races, another area where Obama's party at this point has an edge. Outside groups aligned with both parties also are expected to spend millions of dollars to influence the outcome of several dozen competitive races.

Money matters, this year especially...........................