Perry raises $17.1 million since mid-August

[October 05, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry has raised $17.1 million since August 13, and has $15 million in cash on hand.

That's according to an aide for the Republican presidential candidate.

The aide spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting an announcement later Wednesday.

Almost all of the money is for use in the GOP primary election. About $50,000 was raised for a general election fund in case Perry wins the GOP nomination.

His chief rival for the GOP nomination, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, brought in $18 million during his first three-month fundraising period, and is expected to come in below that for the fundraising quarter that ended Sept. 30.

[Associated Press; By KASIE HUNT]

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