I’m running a bit behind with the news/blogging lately, but I think it’s important to highlight the progress that Jim Himes is making this cycle in his effort to unseat the last incumbent Republican congressperson in New England.

From the Himes campaign announcement of Q1 fundraising numbers:

* Jim Himes raised over $420,000 in the first quarter of 2008, his strongest fundraising quarter yet.

* Himes has raised a total of more than $1.3 million this cycle and has over $1 million cash on hand. This is both the highest total amount and the most cash on hand ever raised by a challenger to Chris Shays by the end of the first quarter of an election year.

* Demonstrating widespread grassroots and netroots support, over 25% of contributions to the Himes campaign in the first quarter were $25 or less.

“[T]he most cash on hand ever raised by a challenger to Chris Shays” means that Jim Himes has even more money right now than Diane Farrell did at this time two years ago, and she nearly beat Shays.

This is going to be a barnburner, as they say. Be sure that you’re signed up to help unseat the last Republican congressperson in New England.

Gabe at CTLP and Jon K. at MLN have further coverage.