Sen. Rick Santorum, one of the most vulnerable incumbents facing re-election this November, announced Friday he has raised $20.1 million - nearly double that of his Democratic challenger. The number bypasses the previous record raised by a Senate candidate in Pennsylvania, which was $19.8 million raised by Sen. Arlen Specter for his 2004 race.Santorum, the No. 3 Senate Republican, raised $3.6 million for the fundraising quarter that ended June 30, and has $9.5 million in cash, according to his campaign. His opponent, state Treasurer Bob Casey, raised $2.8 million and has $5.2 million in cash, his campaign said. He has raised a total of $10.8 million, his campaign said. Casey has led Santorum in polls by the double-digits for months.
Virginia Davis, Santorum's campaign spokeswoman, said polling numbers are unreliable. "Sen. Santorum clearly has momentum on his side as demonstrated by his fundraising ability," Davis said.
Casey's campaign spokesman, Larry Smar, noted this was Casey's best fundraising quarter, and said that momentum was building for Casey. He said Santorum's fundraising was not going to be enough "to cover up his record of putting special interests ahead of Pennsylvania." First lady Laura Bush and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani both made fundraising stops for Santorum during the quarter.