Ex-Rep. Titus raises more than $200,000 for House bid

Former U.S. Rep. Dina Titus raised $200,840 in the past three months for her campaign to return to Congress, according to her latest federal report released Friday.

She had $193,187 cash on hand, putting her in a strong position for a likely primary in 2012 with at least five Democrats competing for three Southern Nevada House seats.

Titus' quarterly report to the Federal Election Commission covers the three-month period from July through September.

The former congresswoman's report showed healthy contributions from small contributors -- 256 people giving $250 or less. But it also showed support from political action committees that accounted for one-third of her total. Some of those PACS came from Democratic leaders of Congress who worked with Titus from 2008 through 2010.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., gave $7,000 to Titus -- $5,000 from her PAC and $2,000 form her campaign committee, according to the report.

House Whip Steny Hoyer, D-Md., donated $5,000 to Titus from his PAC. Hoyer recently campaigned for Titus in Las Vegas.

U.S. Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, donated $1,000 to Titus. Former DCCC Chairman U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., also donated to Titus' campaign, giving her $2,000.

The Titus campaign touted the latest fundraising as evidence she's getting key support from Democratic leaders and Nevadans in her bid to return to the House. Titus lost re-election in 2010 to U.S. Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., in the 3rd Congressional District.

Titus doesn't plan to run against Heck again in 2012. Instead, she plans to run for one of two open House seats in Southern Nevada, either the new 4th Congressional District or the 1st Congressional District now held by U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., who's running for the U.S. Senate.

State Sen. Ruben Kihuen reported raising more than $100,000 in September after he announced his House run, with $94,994 cash on hand.

On Thursday, Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, announced he's running for Berkley's seat, although new district lines haven't yet been drawn.

A special court panel is drawing new congressional maps after GOP Gov. Brian Sandoval vetoed two Democratic-drawn redistricting plans.

Two other Democrats have announced congressional bids: State Sen. John Lee, D-North Las Vegas, and Assembly Speaker John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas.