WASHINGTON - Texas Democrats targeting Republican Congressman John Culberson in Houston are challenging nearly $50,000 in campaign spending since 2004 on books, coins, Civil War memorabilia and other collectibles, some reported as “donor gifts.”

Draft copies of complaints to the Federal Election Commission and the independent Office of Congressional Ethics question the expenses in light of Culberson’s personal interest in military history.

Culberson has reported selling as much as $1.3 million in antiques and collectibles since 2010, something he says he does as a hobby. Because he considers his collection a personal rather than an investment asset, he has not been required to publicly detail his purchases or holdings in congressional disclosure reports.

Member/District Old Rating New Rating
Don Young (R, AK-AL) Safe Republican Likely Republican
Duncan Hunter (R, CA-50) Safe Republican Leans Republican
Karen Handel (R, GA-6) Leans Republican Likely Republican
Rodney Davis (R, IL-13) Likely Republican Leans Republican
Randy Hultgren (R, IL-14) Likely Republican Leans Republican
NC-9 Open (Pittenger, R) Toss-up Leans Democratic
Tom MacArthur (R, NJ-3) Leans Republican Toss-up
Dave Joyce (R, OH-14) Likely Republican Leans Republican
TX-2 Open (Poe, R) Safe Republican Likely Republican
Pete Olson (R, TX-22) Safe Republican Likely Republican
Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R, WA-5) Toss-up Leans Republican
WA-8 Open (Reichert, R) Toss-up Leans Democrati