By Karyn Chenoweth Oct 2, 2007, 4:13 GMT
Presidential candidate Barack Obama raised nearly $20 million between July 1 and Sept. 30, campaign officials announced, saying the figures show the Illinois senator remains a strong candidate capable of challenging frontrunner Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.
US Senator Barack Obama listens as fellow candidates respond to a question during a debate held at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, USA, 26 September 2007. EPA/CJ GUNTHER
Fellow Democrat John Edwards, the former North Carolina senator and 2004 vice presidential nominee, said Monday that he raised $7 million in the quarter. Edwards announced last week that his campaign would accept federal matching funds – according to Marketwatch.
"Americans from every walk of life are responding to Senator Edwards' message and bold plans to change Washington," said Jonathan Prince, Edwards' deputy campaign manager. "The campaign wants to thank all of our supporters for their hard work - because of their efforts we will have the resources we need to be competitive and win the nomination." New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson revealed Sunday that he had raised $5.2 million in the quarter, bringing his total for the year to $18.4 million, according to the Associated Press.
The new figures show Obama's fundraising pace has slowed since the first six months of the year. Obama raised $23 million in primary-campaign dollars in the first quarter, and $32 million in the second quarter. The Obama campaign said it has raised a total $74.9 million that can be used for the primary campaign from 352,000 donors. The campaign didn't reveal how much money it has in the bank.
Hillary Clinton hasn't yet released her fundraising totals.
Presidential candidates must file their detailed third-quarter fundraising totals with the Federal Election Commission by Oct. 15.
Rough estimates of the New York senator’s campaign purse is expected to be between $17 million and $20 million for the quarter.
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