The growing number of departures by House incumbents this cycle is leaving a Wild West of open-seat races, some of which feature deep-pocketed candidates elbowing for a two-year stint in Congress.
The top self-funded candidates so far include familiar faces from elections’ past, such as Trone and Flinn, both of whom spent millions in failed House bids two years ago. And new ones, such as former California Mega Millions Lottery winner Gil Cisneros, a Democrat who appears to be the party’s pick in a congested primary race.
The 400-plus House candidates running for open seats this year have spent more than $32 million on their campaigns. Fourteen have spent at least $500,000.