The 42 House Democrats to whom party leaders are steering extra financial and political assistance banked an average of nearly half a million dollars 16 months before the 2010 midterm elections.

These lawmakers — primarily junior members from politically competitive districts — are known as “Frontline Democrats”. They ramped up their fundraising operations in this year’s second quarter to prepare for vigorous Republican opposition in the 2010 midterm elections.

According to updated campaign finance reports filed this week with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), the 42 Frontline Democrats had an average of $481,000 in campaign cash-on-hand as July began. Please consult this chart for a detailed analysis that is based on FEC data.