Rep. Walz Has Huge Fundraising Edge In Race

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Whoever emerges from the Republican Party to face Democratic Rep. Tim Walz will be at a financial disadvantage in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District.

Campaign reports filed over the weekend show Walz, a third-term congressman, with considerably more money than possible rivals Allen Quist and Mike Parry.

Walz has about $708,000 saved up after raising $216,000 in the first three months of 2012. By comparison, Quist has just shy of $60,000 in reserve after raising $37,000 between January and March. Parry, a state senator, has a mere $36,000 left after raising $17,000 in the reporting period.

Meanwhile, two-term Republican Rep. Erik Paulsen reported raising another $336,000, leaving him with about $1.3 million in the bank. Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison has $133,000 in reserve for his race in the 5th District.

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