Ashwin Madia raised $693,000 in the second quarter of 2008, more than any other Congressional challenger in Minnesota.  The Third District Democrat had roughly $740,000 cash on hand at the end of June and has pulled in more than $1 million since starting his campaign for the seat being vacated by Rep. Jim Ramstad.

Madia out-raised Republican Erik Paulsen by almost $100,000. The GOP aspirant held a significant financial edge at the end of March, with nearly $700,000 cash on hand, compared to less than $200,000 for his opponent. But Madia had just emerged from a tough endorsement battle with state Sen. Terri Bonoff, while Paulsen received GOP backing without a fight.

"We’re exited about the widespread support we’re enjoying thorughout the district, throughout the state, and throughout the country for our positive message of change in this country," Madia told reporters after officially registering his campaign with the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office. "I’m exicted that so many poeple believe that our country can be better than what we’ve been doing over the past eight years."

Last week there was speculation that the Madia campaign was attempting to lower expectations for the second-quarter figures. But clearly the Democrat has been dilligently tapping donors since securing the DFL endorsement in April. The contest is expected to be among the most closely scrutinized in the country and will almost certainly prove the most expensive in the state of Minnesota. Last week the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced that the Third District is among 31 districts where the group has purchased $35 million worth of air time to begin running ads in September.