Two U.S. Senators are out of the gate with fundraising appeals aimed at stuffing U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s fundraising stocking.

“I can’t wait to get started working for the people of Oregon in the Senate, and I know I owe my success to the support of so many people from across Oregon and across the country,” U.S. Sen.-elect Jeff Merkley wrote in a fundraising letter today.

“Republicans are going after Harry Reid’s Senate seat in 2010, and we can’t afford to lose a great Democratic Leader. The election was just one month ago and the extreme right wing is already gearing up to attack Harry. I hope you will act today to make sure their attack strategy doesn’t work,” Merkley wrote.

Reid, a fourth term Democrat, is facing what is widely expected to be a tough re-election battle. Republicans have indicated they plan on targeting the seat, with U.S. Rep. Jon Porter (R-Henderson) mentioned as a possible candidate. Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki had indicated his interest in a bid, though he is now under indictment for his management of a student loan program.

U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson (D-S.D.) has also penned a fundraising appeal for Reid. Like Merkley, Johnson is coming off a November victory.

“When I fell ill two years ago, I never doubted one thing – if I was well enough to return to the Senate and run for reelection, Senator Harry Reid would be there to help, even in a red state like South Dakota,” Johnson wrote in the appeal.

“Now Harry Reid faces a tough re-election fight in Nevada. However, we can head off potential challenges to him by making sure that he has raised as much money as possible before December’s critical FEC fundraising deadline.”