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Democratic Rep. Markey raises $4.7M for Senate bid

BOSTON (AP) - U.S. Rep. Edward Markey has raised about $4.8 million since jumping into Massachusetts special election for U.S. Senate with the bulk of those dollars coming from outside of the state.

With more than $3 million in his congressional campaign account at the start of the race, Markey had a total of $7.8 million on hand. The congressman spent about $3.2 million, leaving his account with about $4.6 million as of April 10.

More than 53 percent of the money raised came from outside of the state, with nearly 47 percent coming from Massachusetts donors, according to the campaign. His campaign said 83 percent of the more than 18,000 individuals who contributed to his campaign gave $100 or less.

Markey's Democratic rival, fellow U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch reported raised $1.5 million since entering the race in late January, adding to the $745,000 left over from his last House race.

Lynch reported spending more than $1.7 million through April 10 and had more than $514,000 left in his account for the final stretch.

His campaign said 93 percent of the approximately 3,300 individual donors to Lynch's campaign live in Massachusetts and 45 percent of those who donated to his campaign gave $100 or less.

Markey's campaign has benefited from the lion's share of the approximately $1.8 million in spending by outside groups that are not counted in the candidates' fundraising totals.

Three Republicans - former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan, state Rep. Daniel Winslow and businessman Gabriel Gomez - are seeking the GOP nomination in the April 30 primary.

Of the three GOP hopefuls, Gomez reported raising the most, nearly $1.2 million, although that includes $600,000 he loaned his campaign. He reported having $499,743 left in his account heading into the final stretch to Primary Day.

Sullivan reported raising $174,498 with $96,369 left in his account. Winslow reported raising $394,549, with $158,550 from his own pocket. He had $142,243 left in his account.

The special election for the Senate seat left vacant by the resignation of John Kerry is set for June 25.