Hillary Clinton Senate Re-election Fund Has $12.6 Million
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Hillary Clinton Re-election Fund Has $12.6 Million

In a Senate race that could affect the 2008 presidential contest, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton raised more than $6 million between April and June.

Federal campaign reports filed by Senate candidates Friday showed the former first lady, a New York Democrat, had $12.6 million cash on hand at the end of last month, even though as yet she has no clear opponent.

Manhattan lawyer Edward Cox, a son-in-law of former President Richard Nixon, has begun preparations to challenge Clinton, and Republican Party officials also are courting Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro as a possible challenger.

Patti Solis Doyle, executive director of Friends of Hillary, said she expects "very well-funded opposition next year."

Clinton's first campaign for Senate in 2000 smashed fundraising records, as she and her Republican opponent, then-congressman Rick Lazio, together spent about $80 million.

A strong showing in next year's Senate race could give added momentum to Clinton's early front-runner status among possible Democratic candidates in the 2008 presidential race. A bruising contest could slow her down.

Other closely watched Senate races are in Pennsylvania, where incumbent Republican Rick Santorum is facing a challenge from the son of a former governor, state treasurer Robert P. Casey Jr., and in Florida, where Rep. Katherine Harris is challenging Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson.

Santorum raised $3.6 million in three months and reported $5.7 million cash on hand to Casey's $1.6 million cash on hand.

Harris ended June with $406,808 cash on hand to Nelson's $5 million.

News Max.com ~ Associated Press ** Hillary Clinton Re-election Fund Has $12.6 Million