INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Indiana's Democratic congressional candidates seem to be raking in the cash this year, tossing some old campaign finance assumptions out the window.

Freshman congressmen are often vulnerable to challengers since
they don't have as much name recognition, experience or money as
long-serving representatives.

But the latest federal campaign finance reports show Democratic Congressmen Joe Donnelly and Brad Ellsworth are sitting
on top of piles of cash this year.

And in northeastern Indiana's 3rd District, Democratic political newcomer Mark Montagano has more money on hand than Republican Mark Souder, who's been in Congress for more than a decade.

IUPUI political science professor Brian Vargus says all the signs right now point to the Democrats being in very good shape for this November's election.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)