From CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby
Washington (CNN) – Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney raised $1.8 million during the second fundraising quarter of this year, far outpacing the other Republicans he may face in the next presidential race.
Romney has also devoted considerable money to building an extensive national political network, doling out more than $400,000 since January to various 2010 candidates through his Free and Strong America political action committee and its state-level affiliates.
All told, Romney has collected $3.4 million since the beginning of the year – more than double the roughly $1.3 million that each of his next closest rivals in the money chase, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, raised during the same period.
With less than four months until the midterm elections, Romney has nearly $2.2 million left in the bank, giving him the financial muscle necessary to be a power player in Republican politics as November nears.
In the second quarter, Palin raised $865,000, according to a report filed with the Federal Election Commission. She spent $87,500 contributing to Republican candidates and has roughly $1 million on hand.
Pawlenty is not far behind: An aide to the Minnesota governor told CNN that the Minnesota governor took in $724,000 in the second quarter and has almost $940,000 in the bank. He contributed $84,000 to GOP candidates since April.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee maintained a steady if underwhelming fundraising pace, taking in about $258,000 between April and June.
Huckabee has raised just $531,000 since January but has been generous with his funds, handing out nearly $92,000 to midterm candidates – with a focus on Republicans in the key primary states of Iowa and South Carolina.
Quarterly financial reports were not yet available for the PACs of Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, Indiana Rep. Mike Pence and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, three other Republicans mulling a possible White House bid.
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