Franken has $3M in reserve for Minn. Senate race

Published 11:26 am Thursday, July 11, 2013

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Democratic Sen. Al Franken has added significantly to his campaign stockpile in the last three months, leaving him with $3 million in reserve as the 2014 Minnesota Senate race takes shape.

Franken reported April-to-June figures on Thursday, during which he says he raised nearly $2 million. It is similar to his haul for the first three months of 2013. His available cash accounts for what’s left after campaign expenses.

Despite winning by 312 votes last time, Franken’s race isn’t among the top-tier Senate races this cycle. Republicans hope to change that.

Franken has two announced Republican challengers, business executive Mike McFadden and state Rep. Jim Abeler. McFadden says he raised $700,000 in his first month as a candidate while Abeler is barely into his campaign. Other Republicans are weighing bids.