Fundraising powerhouse Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., hauled in $4.5 million in the quarter that ended Sept. 30 – and it could prove to be the biggest total of anyone in Congress, the Star Tribune reports. Her DFL opponent Jim Graves plans to announce his total on Monday. In the Eighth District, DFL challenger Rick Nolan announced he had raised more than Rep. Chip Cravaack, R-Minn., but Nolan has less on hand for the final weeks.

A new poll finds Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann with a lead of nine percentage points over her Democratic challenger, Jim Graves. It was released just after a national Democratic committee listed the contest as one of the party's best chances to capture a House seat now held by the GOP. Meanwhile, Bachmann maintains a big fund-raising advantage over her rival.

Rep. Michele Bachmann, the polarizing Minnesota Republican and Tea Party favorite, is often in more than her share of headlines. She is generating even more attention in the final sprint to Election Day – and so is her opponent, DFL businessman Jim Graves – as the national media shine a spotlight on Bachmann's tightest race yet.

Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann has agreed to three debates with her DFL opponent Jim Graves on the week before the Nov. 6 election, the St. Cloud Times reports. However, the Graves campaign is pushing the three-term Congresswoman to have more than just three debates. “It frustrates me that Bachmann was willing to give 15 debates during her presidential campaign," Jim Graves said. The first public debate is set for Oct. 30 in St. Cloud.

Hotel magnate Jim Graves, the Democratic challenger to Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., is worth between $22 million and $111 million, according to financial disclosure forms, but he says he is not going to rely on self-funding his campaign. Bachmann has pounced on her opponent's wealth in an effort to rally her supporters and raise money.

DFL candidate Jim Graves has released two TV ads targeting his 6th District opponent Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., one of which is critical of the incumbent for her response to the Verso Paper Mill fire and closing.

Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann says she raised $1.7 million dollars during the second quarter. Bachmann took to Twitter to thank her supporters, whom she says made 40,000 contributions. Her Democratic challenger, Jim Graves, reported $400,000.

Hotelier Jim Graves is appealing to moderate voters and selling himself as a skilled businessman in his effort to win the 6th District seat of Tea Party-backed GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann. It's an uphill battle. She's raised more money and holds a lead in polls – although DFLers say Graves has begun to narrow the gap.