Blunt campaign amasses twice as much money as Nixon's

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Republican Gov. Matt Blunt has amassed more than twice as much cash as Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon as they build toward a likely showdown in the 2008 gubernatorial election.

Blunt raised nearly $1.7 million during the past quarter, outpacing the $1 million raised by Nixon during the same three-month period that ended June 30, according to campaign finance reports filed Monday.

Blunt ended the quarter with more than $5.8 million on hand, compared with more than $2.4 million for Nixon, when candidates' expenses and previous contributions are included.

Both candidates' totals are far ahead of the pace established in recent Missouri gubernatorial races.