By Rachel Kapochunas, CQ Staff

The campaign of Democratic rabbi and psychologist Dennis Shulman for New Jersey’s 5th District is beginning to gain steam, capturing local and national support as well as attention as he seeks to become the first blind member of Congress in generations.

In his bid to unseat three-term Republican Rep. Scott Garrett , Shulman reported more than $300,000 raised through March 31, including donations from Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer ’s political action committee, Washington state Rep. Brian Baird ’s campaign committee, and members of the psychology and religious communities. Shulman also invested $52,000 in personal funds into his campaign. He reported $246,000 remaining after expenses.

Shulman campaign manager Jeff Hauser said future fundraisers are planned with several prominent officials such as state party chairman Joseph Cryan and Gov. David A. Paterson of New York, who is legally blind. Paterson, 2004 presidential candidate Wesley Clark, and Rep. Steven R. Rothman of the neighboring 9th District are among those who have endorsed Shulman’s campaign.

Due to Shulman’s signs of viability, CQ Politics is changing the rating of the race to Republican Favored from Safe Republican. The rating means that Garrett remains highly favored to retain his seat but does face a credible challenge this year.

Garrett reported nearly $700,000 raised through March 31 and was left with $458,000 remaining. In addition to individual contributions, conservative groups such as the state Right to Life political action committee made donations to Garrett’s campaign as did committees related to multiple members of Congress, especially those that advocate for conservative ideals.

Garrett, who is seeking a fourth term in office, was held to a career general election-low of 11 percent in 2006, but that election season was marked by nationwide anti-Republican sentiment. Garrett fared better than some members of his state delegation such as Republican Rep. Mike Ferguson of the neighboring 7th district who just narrowly escaped defeat and has since announced his decision to retire from Congress.

Democrats in 2006 argued that Garrett was “too conservative” for his district, but Garrett remained victorious at the polls.

Since entering the race last September, Shulman and Democrats have made that same argument. Shulman has contrasted himself with Garrett, arguing that Garrett’s strongly conservative views and House voting record are out of step with New Jersey voters and his state delegation.

Garrett opposes abortion, including in cases of rape and incest, favoring an exception to save the life of the woman. He favors prohibition on same-sex marriage and stem cell research. The American Conservative Union gave Garrett a score of 100 percent in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Ratings for 2007 are not yet available.

Garrett has received low marks from environmental groups due to his opposition to stringent clean air regulations and support for drilling in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, among other issues. But Garrett took a stand last year on conservation, cosponsoring a bill to preserve open space in the Highlands, partially located within his district.

Shulman supports abortion rights, redeploying troops from Iraq, and opposes drilling off the coast of New Jersey. He also supports the separation of church and state.

Though a majority of voters who make up the 5th are registered “unaffiliated,” who are also a majority of registered voters statewide, the district leans Republican and gave President Bush his second-highest vote share of any New Jersey district in 2004.

Shulman is set to face lawyer Camille M. Abate and technician Roger Bacon in the June 3 Democratic primary. Abate unsuccessfully competed for the Democratic nomination to take on Garrett in 2006. No Republicans filed to run against Garrett in the primary.