WASHINGTON — Mitt Romney’s campaign announced
Wednesday that it had raised $18.25 million in the latest fundraising
period, a total well beyond the war chests of his rivals in the race for
the GOP presidential nomination.
The total disclosed includes only funds that were
raised for use in the primary election. The Federal Election Commission
limits individual contributions to $2,500 each for the primary and
general-election phases of the campaign.
The Romney camp said it has $12.6 million cash on
hand to spend in the primaries, and that contributions came from all 50
states and the District of Columbia.
“Voters are responding to Mitt Romney’s message that
President Obama’s policies have failed and that we need new leadership
in Washington. Our fundraising for the second quarter represents the
strong support Mitt Romney has across the country,” Romney national
finance chairman Spencer Zwick said in a statement.
Uncertainty about the GOP field in 2012 has suppressed the donations to campaigns this year, with independent groups benefiting.
On Tuesday, Restore Our Future, a pro-Romney “super
PAC,” announced it had raised $12 million in the first half of the year.
The group cannot coordinate with the Romney campaign.
No other candidate is expected to come close to
former Massachusetts governor. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty
announced raising $4.2 million in the second quarter, while former Utah
Gov. Jon Huntsman brought in $4.1 million after launching his campaign
last month — a total that includes a sizable personal contribution.
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(c) 2011, Tribune Co.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
