Senate Candidate George LeMieux Claims Fundraising Victory in Q2

George LeMieux said he will report raising more than $950,000 in the second quarter, topping fellow Republicans vying for the right to take on U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

LeMieux, a Fort Lauderdale attorney, touted the haul after Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos led the field with $2.6 million in collections during the first quarter.

Adam Hasner, a third candidate in the GOP primary, attempted to blunt LeMieux's news by sending out a press release last week stating:

"We always expected the two establishment opponents to start off raising more money than us, because that's what the establishment does."

The former Florida House majority leader, who entered the Senate race April 23, said he will report $560,000 in raised funds.

After raising an additional $900,000 in the second quarter, Haridopolos spokesman Tim Baker said the Senate president's combined $3.5 million "will most likely be the most of any Senate challenger in the country for 2011."