Republican bundlers upped the ante in the second quarter by more than doubling the cash that they directed to the National Republican Congressional Committee.

The NRCC reported taking in almost $417,000 during the second quarter, according to documents filed July 15 with the Federal Election Commission. That’s up from the about $150,000 that the committee reported in the first quarter of the year.

Several prominent K Streeters came to the NRCC’s aide, including Michael Herson of American Defense International, who bundled $30,000, and former Rep. Bill Paxon (R-N.Y.), who was credited with raising $60,400. Ietan Consulting’s Wilson Pipestem and Aurene Martin also successfully bundled for the committee, raising $40,400 and $90,800, respectively.

The political action committees of several trade groups — including the National Association of Realtors, the National Cable and Telecommunications Association and the Nuclear Energy Institute — also raised money for the committee. The Realtors’ PAC bundled the most, bringing in $47,250 in the second quarter.

“Our increased support among donors is a reflection of what we’re seeing on the ground in key races,” NRCC spokesman Paul Lindsay said. “Folks who have not been engaged in previous elections are now supporting Republicans who will hold this Democrat majority accountable for its big-government agenda.”

The National Republican Senatorial Committee also relied on several lobbyists to help raise money. K Street bundlers steered nearly $755,000 toward the NRSC in the second quarter, bringing the committee’s bundling total for the first half of 2010 to about $900,000.

Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck Senior Counsel R. James Nicholson, who is also the co-chairman of the committee’s Majority Makers program for high-dollar donors, bundled the most in the second quarter with $284,600.

The former secretary of Veterans Affairs said fundraising is crucial for the upcoming elections.

“You never have as much money as you want and as you feel you are going to need,” Nicholson said. “I’m encouraged that people are starting to sense not just the opportunities but the obligations that we Republicans have in these Senate races coming up in 102 days.”

“They are starting to write checks and be more supportive,” he added of his fellow lobbyists.

American Dental Association’s Michael Graham, Missy Edwards of Missy Edwards Strategies, Doyce Boesch of Strategic Health Care and Kirk Blalock of Fierce Isakowitz & Blalock were also listed as bundlers for the NRSC.