Kirk raises $580K in second quarter

Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) kept up his strong fundraising pace in the second quarter, bringing in $580,000, according to this campaign:

WASHINGTON — North Shore Republican Congressman Mark Kirk, who has been contemplating a costly run for the U.S. Senate or governor, reported Monday that he has built up a campaign warchest of more than $1 million.

Kirk raised more than $580,000 during the second quarter of the year, according to a statement his campaign released. Such a fundraising performance is robust by the standards of U.S. House members but lags slightly behind the amount of money Kirk raised during the same period in the last election cycle.

A statement released by spokesman Eric Elk described the results as “on pace” with Kirk’s fundraising during the second quarter of last election cycle. Kirk raised $606,000 during the second quarter of 2007 and had accumulated a balance of $1.1 million at the end of the period.

During the last election cycle, Kirk was among the most prodigious fundraisers in the U.S. House outside of the party leadership, drawing on a support base in a wealthy region to defend a swing congressional district fiercely contested by the opposition Democrats.

The statement from Kirk’s campaign described this year’s fundraising as “strong” given the economic recession.

“I am humbled that during these difficult economic times, our support is stronger than ever,” Kirk said in a written statement.

It is less than his first quarter of 2009 ($690,000), too, but it’s still impressive for a House member.