Washington ? Kansas Democratic Rep. Dennis Moore and the Republicans vying to unseat him started off the year with nearly $1.2 million collectively in their bank accounts.

The race in the Kansas suburbs surrounding Kansas City, Mo., is always competitive, not just between the two political parties but among Republicans competing for their party’s nomination to challenge Moore.

Moore, a three-term lawmaker, led all the congressional candidates in raising money, pulling in $739,004 last year, $192,251 of it in the final three months of the year. The Federal Election Commission report shows his cash on hand — the most important figure — was $621,061.

“I’m pleased that I’ve received broad support from Democrats, Republicans, independents and the business community,” Moore said.

On the Republican side, the race is between Adam Taff, a former Navy fighter pilot who was the nominee in 2002, and Kris Kobach, a former Justice Department official who served on the Overland Park city council. Moore defeated Taff in 2002, 50 percent to 47 percent.

Taff raised $378,883 last year, $121,383 in the fourth quarter, and reported cash on hand of $352,041.

Kobach raised $209,418 last year, $104,841 in the fourth quarter, and his cash on hand was $178,944.

Taff said his campaign has more cash on hand at this stage than any other GOP campaign in the history of the district.

Taff’s fund-raising numbers are higher than Kobach’s, but Kobach said he closed the gap because more than $150,000 of Taff’s money came from loans and contributions from himself. The report showed Taff loaned himself $15,000 and contributed $10,000 on Dec. 31.

Also in the 3rd District race is state Rep. Patricia Lightner. She raised $8,455 in the fourth quarter and $25,685 all year. Her cash on hand was $14,882.

In the other three Kansas congressional districts:

• In the 1st District of western Kansas, GOP Rep. Jerry Moran reported $754,376 cash on hand. He raised $76,243 in the fourth quarter and $327,889 overall last year.
• Republican Rep. Jim Ryun ended the year with $322,266 cash on hand. He raised $89,302 in the fourth quarter and $241,659 overall in 2003.

Ryun, who represents the eastern Kansas 2nd District, has a challenger, Nancy Boyda, who switched parties to run against him as a Democrat. Boyda was an Environmental Protection Agency chemist and pharmaceutical research manager.

Boyda raised $59,527 last year and reported $38,584 cash on hand as of Dec. 31.

• 4th District GOP Rep. Todd Tiahrt’s cash on hand was $446,264. He raised $107,988 in the fourth quarter and $504,373 overall.Tiahrt represents the Wichita area.