Berkley flush with $1.6 million in cash to take on opponents

Rep. Shelley Berkley is flush with campaign cash, reporting on Tuesday more than $1.6 million in the bank after raising $291,340 during the first three months of this year.

Berkley isn't facing any Democratic primary opponent in what is considered a fairly safe district for her to win re-election.

Meantime, eight Republicans are competing in the June 8 primary for the chance to face Berkeley in November and none are expected to come close to her fundraising.

Michele Fiore, who is backed by top Republican Party officials in Nevada, has barely got off the ground in money-raising after filing on the last day possible, March 12.

Fiore expects to report only a couple thousand dollars raised in the first quarter of 2010, although she's raised another few thousand dollars since the quarter ended March 31, according to her campaign manger, David McGowen. He said Fiore expects to raise at least $1 million for her campaign.

"We're comfortable about where we are. We don't think she's going to have to meet Berkley dollar for dollar," said McGowen.