The senator now has more than $2.6 million for his re-election campaign.

By JANE NORMAN REGISTER WASHINGTON BUREAU

Washington, D.C. – Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Ia., raised more than $1 million during the second quarter of the year and now has more than $2.6 million in the bank as he moves toward a re-election campaign in 2008, aides said Tuesday.

Harkin, the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, had $1.3 million in the bank at the same point six years ago, said Matt Paul, a consultant to the campaign.

“It was a very strong quarter overall,” said Paul.

The deadline for second-quarter fundraising for candidates was June 30, with reports due to the Federal Election Commission by this weekend.

Harkin also is launching a new Web site at www.tomharkin.com that includes a video of him on its home page and links to a Harkin page on the Facebook Web site as well as YouTube videos of Harkin.

The videos feature Harkin speaking on subjects such as the war in Iraq, education and health care.

Harkin was first elected to the Senate in 1984, after having served in the House for 10 years.

The only Republican candidate to register so far with the Federal Election Commission is Cedar Rapids businessman Steve Rathje, who had $6,513 cash in the bank as of March 31. Campaign finance figures were not yet available for Rathje.

Two Republican members of the Iowa congressional delegation, Rep. Steve King and Rep. Tom Latham, have not ruled out a bid against Harkin, but neither appears to be building a campaign organization yet.

Paul said Harkin is not taking his re-election for granted. “The senator expects to be prepared and well-positioned for a tough re-election campaign,” he said.

Reporter Jane Norman can be reached at (202) 906-8137 or at [email protected]