Cravaack fundraising surges to $393K, Peterson brings in $191K

WASHINGTON - Lots of money is flowing into what's expected to be Minnesota's tightest congressional race this fall in the 8th District. Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack's campaign reported Friday that he raised $393,753 in the second quarter of this year, his largest fundraising haul yet. Since entering Congress last year, Cravaack has raised more than $1.4 million.

Cravaack begins the campaign season with $898,681 cash on hand. So far, former state Sen. Tarryl Clark is the only one of Cravaack's three DFL opponents to report fundraising figures. While Clark's campaign out-fundraised Cravaack's last quarter, this quarter saw Clark bring in $232,138. She reports having $259,022 in the bank.

The funds raised by candidates will likely be only a small portion of the money that goes into the 8th District race this fall. A variety of outside groups and unions from the left and right have already been active in the district, which is rated by the Cook Political Report as a "toss-up" race that could go to either party.

U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, a Democrat who represents the 7th District, also filed his quarterly fundraising report with the Federal Election Commission. The long-serving Peterson brought in $191,174 and has $819,647 cash on hand. Lee Byberg, Peterson's Republican opponent, has not yet revealed his fundraising totals.

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