JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Republican U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt says he hauled in nearly $1.3 million in contributions during the past three months as he builds toward an expected re-election campaign.
Blunt's campaign released a summary of its fundraising Wednesday, a day before federal reports are due.
His likely Democratic challenger, Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander, said last week that he raised more than $825,000 from July through September.
All told, Blunt has nearly $4.4 million in the bank for a 2016 campaign. That's close to three times as much as Kander, who has nearly $1.6 million.
But Blunt also is spending more than Kander. Blunt's campaign had disbursements of $737,000 this past quarter, compared with Kander's $360,000.
Candidacy filing for the 2016 elections does not officially open until next February.