The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is getting a big lift from its freshman members.
Ninety-two percent of the 49 total first-year House Democrats contributed or raised money for the political committee during the first fundraising quarter of 2013, according to a Democratic aide with knowledge of the figures.
The participation rate, according to the source, was a record for Democratic freshmen.
In all, the members contributed $226,250 to the DCCC and raised nearly $1.18 million.
Those are prodigious totals for lawmakers just getting their feet wet in Washington, a haul Democrats say is evidence of the new class's commitment to retaking the House majority.
"Our freshmen members are stepping up to the plate in a big, unprecedented way to help protect their colleagues and expand our Democratic Caucus," said DCCC Chairman Steve Israel. "Their record participation shows their commitment to our caucus, their optimism about our prospects, and that they know what it takes to win."
Of particular note were the totals collected by a trio of new House Democrats: Reps. Joaquin Castro of Texas, Lois Frankel of Florida, and Dan Kildee of Michigan. Castro, the brother of rising Democratic star and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro, raised $121,000 for the DCCC. Kildee brought in $144,000, while Frankel's haul totaled $239,000.