McFadden raises $2 million, spends more

WASHINGTON -- Behind in the polls against incumbent Sen. Al Franken, Republican Senate candidate Mike McFadden's campaign announced that it has raised "more than" $2 million in the three months ending Sept. 30, nearly double McFadden's previous best fundraising quarter.

The campaign said it had approximately $1 million on hand at the beginning of October for the final stretch to Election Day.

McFadden appears to have spent heavily, about $3 million, over the summer. At the end of June, his campaign reported holding $2 million in cash.

“The support Mike has received from Minnesotans over the past few months has been amazing," said campaign manager Carl Kuhl in a statement.

The investment banker still has a steep uphill climb to unseat Franken. A series of recent polls show him trailing the former Saturday Night Live performer turned senator by anywhere from 7 to 18 points.

Franken's campaign did not respond to a request for information about its most recent fundraising quarter. Franken raised $3.3 million in the quarter ending June 30 and had $5 million on hand at the time.

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