Updated at 2.57 p.m.
U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann's challenger in the Sixth District, DFLer Tarryl Clark, has raised $1.8 million since July, bringing her total fundraising this cycle to just under $4 million.
The news comes on the heels of Bachmann's announcement earlier this week she had raised $5.4 million in the same period, making her total haul about $10 million.
Clark's total is nonetheless a major sum for a congressional challenger. Bachmann's last opponent, Elwyn Tinklenberg, had only raised about $1 million altogether at this point in 2008.
Clark has $868,000 left in the bank.
Trailing Bachmann in the money race, Clark's campaign says they "never expected to out-raise" the congresswoman. They also argue that Bachmann's fundraising is excessive.
"No one needs $10 million to run for Congress, just like you don't need a luxury coach bus to travel Minnesota's 6th District," campaign manager Zach Rodvold said in a statement.
"What we need to do is raise the resources to win a congressional race, and Tarryl is clearly doing that - and then some. Tarryl is well positioned to win this election and deliver real results for the people of the 6th District."
