Former DFL state Rep. Mike Obermueller, a U.S. House candidate in Minnesota's Second Congressional District, raised $252,976 in the second quarter of this year in his bid to unseat Republican John Kline.

"I'm proud to have the support of so many people who want to end the gridlock in Washington," Obermueller said in a statement. "We are building a grassroots campaign to create jobs, cut spending and reinstate middle class priorities."

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which backs Democrats in competitive U.S. House races, has pledged to support Obermueller's campaign, offering communications and strategic support.

"Raising $250,000 in a two-month period, we're very proud of that," said Obermueller's campaign manager Matt Larson. "It is a direct product of the fact that our message is resonating."

Obermueller began fundraising after winning the DFL endorsement at the end of April and still has more than $214,400 banked for his campaign. But his fundraising haul still leaves him more than a million dollars behind Kline, a veteran incumbent who chairs the influential U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee.

Kline reported raising $428,000 during the second quarter of 2012 and has more than $1.3 million in the bank for his re-election bid, a campaign spokesman said. He has represented the Second Congressional District since 2003 and has handily won each election since, but redrawn political maps have left him with a less conservative district.

David Gerson, who will face Kline in the Republican primary, has not released his fundraising data. June 30 marked the deadline for the campaign finance reporting period that covered the months of April, May and June, but candidates have until Sunday to report their final number to the Federal Election Commission.