A top Democrat in the House of Representatives held a fundraiser in New York City for the re-election efforts of Rep. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh, last Wednesday.

The Hill, a D.C. publication, first reported that Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland would "campaign" for Mr. Owens, which, as one party involved in the matter noted, made it seem as if Mr. Hoyer was going to be knocking on doors in Chaumont for his NNY colleague.

But it was just a fundraiser in New York City.

Mr. Owens is likely to face Republican Matt Doheny in November 2012, who figures to be a well financed candidate. Mr. Doheny lent $2.3 million to his unsuccessful effort in 2010; he'll dip into personal loans again, said his spokesman, Jude Seymour.

Mr. Owens himself is in the 74th percentile of House candidates, according to my analysis of Federal Election Commission documents.

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