Congressman Joe Barton’s Campaign Investment Strategy

From CQ:

Texas Rep. Joe L. Barton ’s campaign reported losing $703,500 in the financial markets last year. A large chunk of those stock market losses — $196,900 — were in shares of four companies that have a stake in the bills handled by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where Barton is the top Republican.

Barton is one of a handful of House members whose campaign accounts are heavily invested in stock and bond markets, and, like many other investors, his campaign savings took a pounding when the stock market crashed. His campaign’s paper losses — which have not been locked in because the assets have not been sold — include $85,800 in General Electric stock, $68,400 in General Motors Corp. stock, $13,500 in Home Depot stock and $29,200 in stock in Lennar Corp., a home-builder that specializes in constructing houses that harness solar power.