GOP Chairs in Safe Seats Rake in Campaign Cash They Don’t Need

Rep. Jason Smith shattered his political fundraising records this year, hauling in almost 2,900% more to his leadership political action committee with donations from JP Morgan Chase, Verizon and Lockheed Martin.

Smith’s seat in a ruby-red, rural district is just as safe as it was in the last election, but the increase in donations followed one major change: Smith (R-Mo.) became chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, which oversees tax, health and trade policy.

Smith and other Republicans who took the top spots on House committees this year have, all combined, raised 86% more in campaign donations in the first ...