Mitt Romney, whose campaign surged in October following the first presidential debate in Denver, outraised President Obama by about $21 million, according to The Washington Post.
Obama and the Democratic National Committee say they raised about $90.5 million from Oct. 1 to Oct. 17, with roughly $125 million cash on hand, while Romney and the Republican National Committee said they raised about $111.8 million in that same time period, with roughly $170 million cash on hand, The Post reported.
Stunningly, according to an analysis by The New York Times, the two campaigns and their allies are on track to raise a combined $2 billion this election season, with Obama and Democrats raising about $1.06 billion since the start of 2011, while Romney and Republicans hauled in $954 million in that time period.
President Obama decried spending in the election on Thursday. In an interview with NBC's Brian Williams, Obama said, "I think the amount of money that is being spent in my campaign and Mr. Romney's campaign and in the super PACs that are out there is ridiculous," according to Politico.
In addition, the pro-Romney super PAC Restore our Future told the Federal Election Commission that it had roughly $24 million cash on hand as of Oct. 17, according to The Post. Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and his wife donated an additional $10 million during the October period and have given $50 million so far this campaign season, according to The Post.
American Crossroads, the super PAC founded by Republican strategist Karl Rove, raised about $11.6 million, The Post reported. Priorities USA Action, the pro-Obama super PAC, raised about $13 million in October, including donations from financier George Soros.