Despite big gains, Giannoulias trails behind Kirk in fundraising

Third quarter financial disclosure reports show Democrat for Senate Alexi Giannoulias had his biggest fundraising period yet, but still trails behind Republican opponent Mark Kirk.

Giannoulias' war chest remains one-third of the size of the five-term Congressman's from Highland Park, the same gap revealed at the end of the second quarter in June.

Kirk raised $3.12 million between July and the end of September, according to his campaign.

He will enter the final stretch of the campaign with $4.4 million in cash on hand just $400,000 more than at the end of June.

Giannoulias raised $2.3 million this quarter, according to a report filed with the Federal Election Commission late Friday.

That leaves the 34-year-old state treasurer with $1.2 million in cash on hand, slightly more than at the end of June.

With just weeks to go until the Nov. 2 election, both campaigns are expected to continue to spend big on ads.

Giannoulias' campaign pointed to the Chicago Democrat's pledge to be the first U.S. Senate candidate in Illinois to refuse money from corporate political action committees or federal lobbyists.

Kirk has not made that pledge, but noted in a news release that 97 percent of his third-quarter contributions came from individuals.

Kirk's election cycle fundraising total, to date, is $12 million; Giannoulias' $7.6 million.

Filings were due to the Federal Election Commission by midnight Friday. Giannoulias released his report to the Daily Herald. Kirk did not, but his campaign released financial data. His report was not yet visible on the FEC site as of midday Saturday, which is not unusual even when reports are filed on time.

Kirk and Giannoulias are vying for President Barack Obama's old Senate seat. The race is one of the most high-profile in the nation.