Seeking to scare off North Dakota Republicans who see blood in the water, Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.) released his year-end fundraising numbers Thursday, which show the nine-term incumbent with nearly $1.4 million in the bank going into 2010.

Pomeroy raised $360,000 in the final quarter of 2009, according to a statement distributed by the North Dakota Democratic party.

“This shows just how well positioned Earl Pomeroy is to be re-elected to the House of Representatives in November,” party Chair Mark Schneider said in the release.

The GOP has been buoyed by Sen. Byron Dorgan’s (D-N.D.) surprise retirement announcement Tuesday evening, and believe it could also boost a prospective down-ticket challenge to Pomeroy, who has not faced tough competition in his last three re-election bids for the at large seat.