Frank has $817,000 in his campaign account. By contrast, his challenger, retired landscaper Earl Sholley, has yet to file a report with the Federal Election Commission, which means he hasn't raised any money.

The Massachusetts congressman started out the cycle with $829,503 in the bank and has raised another $1.63 million. He has spent $1.64 million.

Individuals and political action committees with ties to credit unions have contributed $24,749, the largest chunk of which came from $10,000 contributions from the PACs of both CUNA and NAFCU. He has received $28,000 from PACs and individuals affiliated with the commercial banking industry.

"He's been a good friend of credit unions and we like to help our friends," said NAFCU Political Director Dillon Shea.

Frank has been generally supportive of credit unions. After Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson issued a blueprint for revamping the regulation of financial services that would have placed credit unions under the same regulatory agency as banks–a move some in the industry said could do irreparable damage to credit unions–he said at a hearing: "Please tell my good friend and former colleague Mr. [CUNA President/CEO Dan] Mica not to worry about the Treasury proposal to eliminate credit unions. We would never do that. So please tell him not to worry about that."

But Frank has expressed support for expanding the reach of the Community Reinvestment Act toinclude credit unions, a move that the credit union industry feels would add to its already excessive regulatory burden.

So without a race what does Frank do with his money? He helps his friends in addition to regularly attending fundraisers. So far, he's given $854,175 to Democratic candidates and party committees. Unlike other prominent lawmakers, he hasn't set up a leadership PAC to dispense funds. Instead, he does it out of his campaign treasury.

Among the recipients of his largesse are the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee–which recruits and helps elect House members–receiving contributions totaling $650,000, and freshman lawmakers like Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), a member of his committee who could have a tough re-election battle and received $4,000.

The top five industries contributing to Frank's PAC include real estate, securities/investments, legal, insurance and miscellaneous finance.

He has received 57% of his funds from individuals and 43% from PACs.

This campaign, at least, he has a major-party opponent. During his last re-election race, in 2006, he was unopposed. That year he spent $1.1 million, much of it to help the campaigns of other Democrats.

GOP candidate Sholley has run for the Massachusetts Senate twice and lost and has said he wants to replace Frank because he has been in office for too long.

Technology executive Herb Robinson is running against Frank in the Sept. 16 Democratic primary. As of June 30, he had raised $179 and had $20 in the bank.

Even when Frank has had major-party opponents, he hasn't won with less than 60% of the vote since he was first re-elected in 1982. That race was close after redistricting placed him in the same district as long-time Republican U.S. Rep. Margaret Heckler.

Even scandal hasn't affected Frank's performance at the polls. In 1989, it was revealed that Frank had employed a male prostitute and drug possessor as a personal aide and let him live in his apartment. Frank was reprimanded in 1990 by the House, the least severe admonishment, and was reelected with 66% of the vote.

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