WASHINGTON — Rep. Kenny Hulshof faces a hard-fought and expensive campaign for governor. Unfortunately for him, the Columbia congressman is sitting on a large pot of money he can’t use in his next election.

Hulshof, a Republican, had just under $400,000 in his congressional campaign account at the end of 2007, about a month before he announced his gubernatorial bid, according to campaign finance reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Under normal circumstances, that would be a respectable warchest a year out from an election.  But money raised for federal campaigns can’t be used for state elections.  Hulshof will have to start from scratch against a primary opponent and, if he wins, a Democratic contender.  One of the Democratic hopefuls, Attorney General Jay Nixon, had more than $1.7 million on hand as of his latest finance report filed Jan. 15.

Federal law limits how Hulshof can spend his leftover federal money.  He can return it to donors, give it to charity, or transfer it to a another candidate or political party, including the Missouri Republican Party.

No word yet on how Hulshof will choose to spend his. A call and email to Hulshof’s spokesman were not immediately returned.

But the Washington-based nonprofit Center for Responsive Politics says many of the 26 retiring members of Congress are using their leftover campaign funds to go out in style, splurging on expensive dinners and exotic vacations.

Between them, the retirees have continued to spend $13.5 million from their campaign accounts and political action committees.  They’ve donated $200,000 to charity and spent $1.2 million on “events” and meetings,” which the Center for Responsive Politics labels “code for meals at high-end restaurants and lavish fundraisers.”