Two Congressional Candidates Bring in More Than $1.2 Million for Open Seat

Money keeps flowing into the race to take the congressional seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart. Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, announced on Thursday that his campaign raised more than $500,000 in the second quarter.

I have been so fortunate to receive such strong support from my family, my friends and the voters in South Florida in this race so far, said Rivera. The people who have donated to my campaign have made an investment in a campaign that will remain positive and based on the issues of concern for the people of South Florida. I will not let them down.

Rivera is doing a fine job of holding down spending--he raised $700,000 in the first quarter and still has more than $1.1 million in the bank.

And hell need it.

Earlier in the week Joe Garcia, who is running in the Democratic primary and worked in the Obama administration, revealed that his campaign had taken in more than $700,000 -- with more than $230,000 of that coming from online donations.

"I am humbled by the enthusiasm for our grass-roots campaign to create jobs and get South Florida moving again, said Garcia who ran against Diaz-Balart in 2008. We are confident our grass-roots campaign will have the resources to present South Florida's families with a clear choice between someone who will roll up his sleeves to create jobs and a controversial Tallahassee politician that's beholden to special interests."

With both parties having well financed candidates, this battle is one more race to watch in Florida.