Retaking control of the House paid off for Republicans during the first quarter as most Members’ campaign fundraising soared over their Democratic counterparts.

House Republican Members outraised Democrats by nearly $18 million during the first three months of 2011, according to a CQ MoneyLine study of campaign finance reports. Part of this disparity was to be expected because GOP Members outnumber Democrats by more than 40 seats, including delegates. But even setting those seats aside, Republicans collected an average of $52,000 more per House Member than Democrats.

Leading the way was Speaker John Boehner (Ohio) with more than $2.4 million in receipts during the first three months of 2011, the most of any Member.

Boehner collected about $436,000 from political action committees as well as nearly $760,000 that was transferred from his own group, Boehner for Speaker. He also received almost $1.1 million from individuals, including large sums from CEOs, presidents and other corporate officers. These funds left Boehner’s campaign committee with more than $1.9 million in cash on hand as of March 31.

Two of the other top 10 House fundraisers during the past three months were Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), who came in third in overall receipts among House Members with nearly $1.4 million, and Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who was seventh with $537,000 raised.

Cantor took in $440,000 from PACs and almost $700,000 from individuals. McCarthy’s haul is also impressive for someone in only his third term and running virtually unopposed during his last race. He took $395,000 in PAC money and $142,000 from individual donations.

Things have changed significantly for Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). After losing control of the chamber, and her speakership along with it, Pelosi placed in just the top 40 of Members, raising $324,000. She was surpassed by Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), who brought in $503,000 during the past three months.