Marco Rubio Breaks Record: More than $4.5 Million in Second Quarter

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio reeled in more than $4.5 million for the second quarter of 2010 -- the largest amount a candidate in Florida ever brought in for a single quarter, breaking a record that had been held by Rubios chief rival in the race, Gov. Charlie Crist, who left the GOP and is now running as an independent.

With each supporter and idea, our campaign continues to prove that Floridians want their next U.S. senator to be a check and balance against Washingtons big-spending agenda, while offering a clear, conservative alternative, said Rubio. I continue to be humbled and energized by the outpouring of support were receiving from voters who recognize that Im the only candidate in this race who will go to Washington, stand up to the big spenders in both parties and preserve the limited government principles that have made America exceptional.

A year ago, many were convinced that a principled campaign against the big-spending Obama-Pelosi-Crist-Meek agenda stood no chance in the face of better-funded and more popular opponents, said Rubio. A year later, Im thankful that our supporters have always understood what the stakes are in this election and have rallied behind us to create this movement. Todays announcement marks another important grass-roots milestone on our way to ensuring our message is heard loud and clear throughout Florida this fall.

While Crist, who is fighting Rubio for the lead in the polls, has not released his fund-raising figures for the second quarter, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, locked in a tight battle with Jeff Greene for the Democratic nomination, raised more than $1 million during that period.