The Eye

The list is topped by Randy Altschuler, who had $778,000 on hand for his campaign against New York Rep. Timothy H. Bishop and Allen West, who had $707,000 on hand to challenge Florida Rep. Ron Klein.

Five more GOP challengers had at least $500,000 in the bank: Steve Chabot ($613,000), taking on Rep. Steve Driehaus (Ohio); Steve Pearce ($570,000), the presumptive GOP nominee against Rep. Harry Teague (N.M.); Nan Hayworth ($519,000), who is challenging Rep. John Hall (N.Y.); Steve Stivers, who is challenging Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (Ohio); and Scott Rigell ($500,000), one of several challengers to Rep. Glenn Nye (Va.).

Altschuler, Hayworth and Rigell have used significant amounts of their personal wealth to help finance their campaigns. Chabot and Pearce are former House members who are looking to rebound after losses in 2008 (Chabot for re-election, Pearce in a bid for the Senate). West and Stivers lost House races in 2008 and are trying again.

Another 26 House GOP challengers reported having at least $250,000 cash-on-hand as this year began.

The GOP challengers will be taking on House Democrats who by and large are well-funded. Of the 42 "Frontline" Democrats to whom party leaders have steered extra financial and logistical assistance, all but six had more than $500,000 in their campaign accounts as 2010 began.

With so few open districts in play, Republicans will need to unseat 30 or more House Democrats to win the majority.

The best-funded Republican who is seeking a Democratic-held open seat is Pat Meehan, a former federal prosecutor who has $694,000 left to spend on a campaign for the Pennsylvania district Rep. Joe Sestak is giving up to run for the Senate.

To follow the 2010 House races, check out the CQ Politics election map