U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman donated nearly $270,000 from his political action committee to Democratic House and Senate candidates, according to Federal Election Commission records.

By mid-October, 103 Democrats were beneficiaries of Lieberman’s Responsibility Opportunity and Community PAC, the Journal Inquirer of Manchester reported Tuesday.

Candidates for the House received $143,000 and Senate candidates were given $125,000.

ROCPAC has raised more than $2.6 million since Lieberman created it in March 2001. Shortly after he established a national platform as vice presidential candidate in 2000 and a potential presidential candidate in 2004.

The Center for Responsive Politics, a campaign finance watchdog group in Washington, D.C., said contributions by Lieberman’s PAC places him among the top 20 members of Congress engaged in candidate-to-candidate giving.

Lieberman’s PAC gave $10,000 each to Vernon lawyer Joseph Courtney, who unsuccessfully challenged Republican Rep. Rob Simmons, and New Hampshire Democrat Martha Fuller Clark, who lost a bid for the House.

Lieberman made smaller contributions of between $500 and $5,000 to 78 other House candidates and 13 other Senate candidates. In Connecticut, the group included Rep. James H. Maloney, who lost to Republican Rep. Nancy Johnson; Rep. Rosa DeLauro; Rep. John B. Larson; and Sen. Christopher J. Dodd.

–Associated Press