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Dorgan and Dodd’s $7.5 Million Question

Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) together have more than $7.5 million in leftover campaign funds, but they have nowhere to spend it now that they’re not seeking re-election in November.According to fundraising reports just filed with the Senate public records office, Dorgan had $4.2 million in his campaign account as 2010 began and Dodd had $3.3 million.Both Senators actively raised funds in the final three months of 2009, when they were still seeking re-election. Dodd took in $1.97 million and Dorgan raised $463,000 during the reporting period, which ended five days before Dorgan announced his retirement Jan. 5 and six days before Dodd followed suit.Campaign finance law doesn’t limit how much money Senators can transfer to national party committees, and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (N.J.), who is facing a tough political environment and increasingly difficult playing field, surely would love to have a chunk of those funds.Dorgan and Dodd can refund some money to contributors, donate to charities or even horde the funds for use on a future political campaign.

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