Dodd raises $1.2 million, claims home-state support

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) announced Monday that he raised $1.2 million in the second quarter.

Dodd’s total outpaces all of his potential opponents, including former Rep. Rob Simmons (R), who raised $750,000, and former Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley (R), who raised $530,000.

It will also be more than Dodd’s haul from the first quarter, in which he raised $1 million.

Of course, the devil’s always in the details. In the first quarter, Dodd got some headlines he’d rather not have had when he listed less than $5,000 raised from people inside the state of Connecticut. Look for this report to be a little more focused on his home state.

Interestingly, Dodd’s campaign notes in its release on the fundraising numbers that there are more individual contributions from the Nutmeg State than “from any other state.” But will that hold true when PAC contributions are included?

“Chris’s fundraising total represents a substantial investment by Connecticut residents and those across the country who know he’s the guy who can get things done for working families,” said Jay Howser, Dodd’s campaign manager.

Dodd is trying to repair his good name after a series of personal controversies, including having his name attached to the AIG bonus clause in the bailout. He has trailed Simmons in early polling.