U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar still doesn't have a Republican opponent for her 2012 reelection bid. But whoever emerges starts out nearly $2.5 million behind.

The first-term Minnesota Democrat ended the first quarter of this year with $2.5 million on hand after expenses, according to her most recent filings with the Federal Election Commission.

More than $1 million of that was stockpiled in the first three months of this year, a take that puts her in line with most Democratic incumbents in battleground states. Democrats, who control 53 seats in the Senate, will be defending 23 seats next year.

KEVIN DIAZ