Candidates Get Early Start On Campaign War Chests

The next congressional election is 19 months away. With congressional redistricting underway in Massachusetts, incumbents are already filling up their war chests.

The latest Federal Election Commission reports filed over the weekend show all members of the delegation took in campaign contributions during the first quarter of 2011.

Barney Frank brought in the most contributions with $216,000. Stephen Lynch only brought in $9,000, but sits on a campaign war chest of more than $600,000.

The dean of the delegation, Rep. Ed Markey, has most set aside for his reelection campaign, with more than $3 million.

With state lawmakers redrawing congressional maps to eliminate a seat, it's beginning to look like two incumbents might be squaring off in a primary next September.