$562K for Giffords in 2Q; Bee still counting

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson) raised $562,138 in the second quarter of the year, bringing her cash on hand total to almost $2.1 million, according to her campaign. Her opponent in the 8th Congressional District race, state Sen. Pres. Tim Bee (R-Tucson), will not be releasing his second quarter figures until Tuesday or Wednesday.

Giffords campaign chairman Michael McNulty noted in the release announcing the totals that last quarter's contributions came from 1,898 individuals, with the average contribution around $200.

"This tells me that the voters in our district know better than anyone else how tireless  Congresswoman Giffords has been in advocating for Southern Arizona in the House of Representatives," McNulty was quoted as saying. "These Arizonans come from all walks of life, they care about the future and they want the kind of change and common sense solutions that Congresswoman Giffords is fighting for."

McNulty labeled Giffords's supporters the "cactus roots," a regionally-appropriate play on "grassroots." "Their generosity is at the heart of this campaign," said McNulty.

Bee also had a good quarter, according to his campaign spokesman Tom Dunn, but just how good won't be revealed until Tuesday at the earliest, which is the deadline to turn in fundraising totals to the Federal Election Commission.

"We're still counting," said Dunn.