Paul campaign raises $8 million in 3rd quarter

And the money chase continues.

Rep. Ron Paul's presidential campaign announced Tuesday that it has raised more than $8 million in the third quarter, less than the likely totals for Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney but respectable showing for a second-tier candidate in the race for the Republican nomination.

Perry raised $17 million during the third fundraising quarter of the year, despite a late entry into the race, his campaign said Wednesday. The number is significantly higher than the $10 million that the campaign had been floating as its target for the quarter. It is also nearly as high as the $18 million haul his chief rival, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, brought in during the second quarter.

Romney's third-quarter show of fundraising muscle is expected to fall somewhere around the $14 million mark, according to story today in the Los Angeles Times.

Other Republicans in the field have not yet made their totals public. The fundraising period closed on Sept. 30 and reports are due to the Federal Election Commission on Oct. 15.

Paul, a Republican House member from Texas, attracted more than 100,000 donors in the quarter, his campaign said.

"The amount and nature of donations to Ron Paul proves his fundraising prowess and also demonstrates in real numbers the grassroots support Dr. Paul receives from average Americans," campaign Chairman Jesse Benton said in a statement.