The three Virginia Democrats who replaced Republicans after the 2008 election will be raising some campaign funds together as they prepare for their House re-election campaigns.

Virginia Freshmen Victory Fund was established Monday with the Federal Election Commission as a joint fundraising committee that will collect funds and then divvy them up among the campaign committees of Reps. Glenn Nye of the 2nd District, Tom Perriello of the 5th District and Gerald E. Connolly of the 11th District.

The victories of Nye, Perriello and Connolly enabled Democrats to increase their House majority in the 2008 election, but the Republicans are targeting all three Democrats in 2010.

California Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan has announced she will join the crowded Democratic field forming in California's 10th District to succeed Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher.

"There are times in our lives when an opportunity knocks quite unexpectedly," Buchanan stated in an open letter to supporters Wednesday.

"After consulting with hundreds of community leaders, voters, elected colleagues and activists across our region; after considering the extraordinary financial challenges facing the country; and after carefully evaluating where I can make the most significant contribution, I have decided that I will be a candidate for Congress in our district," Buchanan wrote..

The National Republican Congressional Committee made one final pitch for donations before the first quarter fundraising deadline ends Tuesday at midnight.

"Our first FEC reporting deadline is less than 33 hours away," NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions of Texas wrote in an e-mail appeal to supporters Monday afternoon, adding that the committee is less than $50,000 from reaching an undisclosed fundraising goal for the quarter.

As an extra incentive, Sessions and fellow Minoirty Leader John A. Boehner of Ohio, Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence of Indiana, Minority Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia, and Chief Deputy Whip Kevin McCarthy of California have pledged to match total contributions up to $50,000.

Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand is making a last-minute push in the the year's first-quarter fundraising period as she seeks to solidify her grasp on her New York Senate seat. Her campaign has set a goal of raising another $25,000 over the final 39 hours of the filing period, which ends March 31st at midnight.

"To show our broad-based support, our campaign must end this first quarter in the strongest financial position possible," Gillibrand wrote in an e-mail to supporters Monday. "I would be incredibly grateful if you could support my race with whatever you can give now."

Gillibrand, who was appointed to the post by Gov. David A. Paterson in January, no doubt hopes an early show of financial force will make those Democrats mulling a 2010 primary challenge think again. Gillibrand established herself as a tireless fundraiser during her two congressional campaigns in 2006 and 2008, and her ability to raise money for a Senate race that is likely to cost more than $30 million helped earn her the nod to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton, who became secretary of State.