New reports show Bachmann still queen of political fundraising

Among Minnesotans in the U.S. House, Michele Bachmann remains unrivaled when it comes to campaign fundraising.

First-quarter reports filed Monday show Bachmann raised nearly $680,000, bringing her war chest for the 2014 campaign close to $1.9 million.

Democrat Jim Graves, who narrowly lost to Bachmann last fall, announced last week he'll challenge her again. Graves raised just under $2,000 in the first quarter.

USA Today reports only three members of the House - including the speaker and majority leader - raised more than Bachmann. In her fundraising appeals Bachmann reminds supporters that a Democratic super PAC has made her its number one target for defeat next year. USA Today says 85 percent of Bachmann's first-quarter contributions came from individuals giving $200 or less.

By Bachmann's standards, though, this was not even a particularly strong quarter. MinnPost reports it was her second-weakest fundraising quarter in the last three years.

MinnPost notes that Al Franken raised nearly $2 million for his 2014 Senate race. No Republican challenger for his seat has emerged yet.

MPR offers a bar graph breaking down the first-quarter fundraising and cash on hand for all eight of Minnesota's House members.