JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Congressman Todd Akin raised more than $500,000 in his first couple months as a U.S. Senate candidate.
Akin, who declared his Senate candidacy in mid-May, reported receipts of $511,610 this past quarter. When added to money previously raised as a congressional candidate, Akin had nearly $1.2 million in his campaign account at the end of June.
The Republican from suburban St. Louis is seeking to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill in 2012. The state Democratic Party said this week that McCaskill raised nearly $1.4 million during the past quarter and had almost $3 million in her account.
Former State Treasurer Sarah Steelman also is in the Republican Senate race. She has not released fundraising totals yet. Candidates have until the end of Friday to file quarterly finance reports.