Gov. Tim Pawlenty has raised more than $3.4 million through his Freedom First political action committee (PAC) since he established it one year ago as he gears up for a possible 2012 presidential run.

In the last three months, Pawlenty hauled in $786,000 through his three PACs: $565,000 federally, $136,000 for his Iowa state PAC and $86,000 for his New Hampshire PAC, according to a summary of Pawlenty's quarterly filing with the Federal Election Commission.

On the year, Pawlenty has raised $1.8 million through his federal PAC. His numbers still trail 2012 presidential frontrunners former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who has raised $3.6 million in 2010 through August, and former VP candidate Sarah Palin, who has brought in $2.5 million this year.

But unlike his potential 2012 rivals, Pawlenty backers point out that his job as governor this past quarter included weeklong trips to Iraq and Afghanistan and China.

Between his three PACs, Pawlenty has $668,000 cash on hand.

He contributed $114,000 to more than 50 candidates and GOP state party committee in the last three months, including $1,000 each to Tea Party favorites Alaska Senate hopeful Joe Miller and Delaware Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell.