$3 million quarter and $9 million on hand for McConnell

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) is continuing to bolster his war chest this general election cycle, as his campaign now says they will report over $3 million in funds raised in the second quarter of this year. Adding on to existing funds, McConnell's camp now claims over $9 million on-hand - at least a $1.3 million boost from the amount reported on-hand as of April 30.

The campaign says their second quarter fundraising achievements constituted a Kentucky record for candidates for federal office.

"I am humbled by the outpouring of support from Kentuckians and people across the country," said McConnell in a statement circulated with the numbers. "I plan to run a vigorous campaign and we will have the resources to deliver a convincing message to Kentuckians this fall."

McConnell's camp notes their candidate pulled in $850,000 through the April 30 pre-primary date with the Federal Election Commission and $2.16 million from then until the June 30 close of books for the second quarter - totaling around $3,010,000 for the quarter.

The 2Q numbers put McConnell over $15 million in funds raised for the election cycle - a number far surpassing the $5.9 million he raised in his blowout victory in 2002.

The fundraising focus is necessary for McConnell this campaign, given that he faces an opponent with a significant ability to self-finance. Democratic nominee and Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford is estimated to have a personal fortune valued at between $33 million and $110 million.

Late last month, Lunsford made his first loan to his campaign of $1 million of his own funds. Leading up to the May 20 Democratic primary, Lunsford spent over $2.1 million of his money to conquer six opponents.

"Bruce Lunsford and his allies like the Sierra Club, Americans United for Change, and other liberal organizations are already running a negative campaign devoid of any positive agenda for Kentucky," said McConnell's campaign manager Justin Brasell, in a statement. "We will have the resources we need to get our message out, and we won't be shy about responding to Lunsford and his liberal friends' false attacks.

NOW on PolitickerKY.com:

• POLL: Will Mitch McConnell's fundraising numbers be enough to best the partial self-financing of millionaire Bruce Lunsford in the U.S. Senate race?

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