JANE NORMAN REGISTER STAFF WRITER

Washington, D.C. – Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Ia., has $3 million cash in the bank and raised more than $1 million during the last three months as the 2008 election draws closer, aides to Harkin said this afternoon.

Reports to the Federal Election Commission are due later this month reflecting fundraising July 1 through Sept. 30.

Harkin has not yet formally announced his re-election but has been raising money for months and has staff already in place as Democrats seek to retain and widen their control of the U.S. Senate in 2008.

Matt Paul, a Harkin campaign spokesman in Des Moines, said Harkin’s annual steak fry in September was his most successful ever in terms of both attendance and money raised. The Democratic presidential candidates spoke at the event, attracting interested Iowans and national media attention.

Harkin took in about $400,000 from the event, which made up a large portion of his $775,000 in individual contributions in the third quarter.

“We had a very strong quarter,” Paul said.

Steve Rathje, a Cedar Rapids businessman, so far is the only Republican to file with the Federal Election Commission as a challenger to Harkin. Two Iowa Republicans, Rep. Steve King of Kiron and Rep. Tom Latham of Ames, also have been mentioned as possible candidates but have not said they will run.

Paul said that Harkin continues to aggressively raise money because “he takes nothing for granted.” Paul pointed out that former Rep. Jim Ross Lightfoot, Harkin’s GOP challenger in 1996, did not announce his bid until the February of the election year.

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