Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) faces a tough campaign for re-election, including a torrent of negative advertising even before the GOP primary to challenge her is held.
But she does have a massive advantage in fundraising, Missouri's Springfield News-Leader reports. Beyond the $5 million of her own cash, McCaskill leads all her Republican rivals in Missouri fundraising by $450,000 and in out-of-state fundraising by $2.2 million.
Her top donor is Emily's List, a pro-choice Democratic political action committee. She's also attracted backing from firms that do business in the state, including a PAC run by Boeing.
McCaskill launched her first TV ad, in which she goes after "special interests" for their spending in the race, in February.
Polling predicts a tight general election between McCaskill and her eventual GOP opponent.
10 more election stories from beyond the presidential field:
Bob Kerrey In Argument With Nebraska's Secretary Of State [Talking Points Memo]
Dick Lugar's Lead Over Primary Opponent Richard Mourdock Now In Single Digits [Politico]
Rep. Louise Slaughter Gets First Serious Challenge In Years [Rochester Democrat And Chronicle]
Marco Rubio Rushes Publication Of Autobiography [The Miami Herald]
Mazie Hirono Opens Campaign Headquarters [Hawaii Reporter]
Wisconsin Senate Hopeful Campaigns With Pig Named Mr. Favors [AP]
Tommy Thompson Tries To Reinvent His Image [The Wisconsin State Journal]
Eric Cantor Claims Senate Dems Are Obstructing Bill To Help Their Campaigns [The Hill]
Donald Payne Jr. Running To Replace His Late Father [Roll Call]
Rep. Makes GOP Ballot To Challenge Kirsten Gillibrand [Patch]
CORRECTION: The headline originally stated that McCaskill has outspent her rivals. It has been corrected to reflect the fact that she has outpaced her rivals in fundraising, not spending.