Braley campaign raises $1.25 million in second quarter of 2013

U.S. Senate hopeful Bruce Braley raised $1.25 million in the second quarter of this year, his campaign said Tuesday, leaving him with more than $2 million in the bank.

Braley's fundraising haul likely widens his lead over the Republican field, which is still forming.

A four-term congressman from Waterloo, Braley is the only Democrat seeking the party's nomination to succeed Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, who is retiring at the end of next year.

Braley's campaign did not release details of the quarter's fundraising, but it said contributions came from all 99 counties. Braley also released a list of county coordinators, which included 130 people in all of the state's counties.

"Eight quarters to raise $12 million, and I think we're off to a good start," said Jeff Link, a senior adviser to the campaign.

The second quarter ended June 30. Full reports are due July 15.

Braley raised just more than $1 million in the first quarter of this year, but that also included a $179,000 transfer from his House campaign committee, practically emptying the account.

Republicans who have announced candidacies for the seat are: former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker; David Young, the former chief of staff for Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; and Sioux City talk radio host Sam Clovis. Also, Mark Jacobs, the former chief executive officer of Texas-based Reliant Energy who is from West Des Moines, is considering a bid, as is state Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Red Oak.