The amount of money Sen. Max Baucus (D) raised in the second quarter undoubtedly will make it harder for Republicans to attract a top-tier candidate to challenge him next year.

Baucus, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, raked in $1.6 million from March 1 to June 30. He banked $4.3 million to spend on his effort to win a sixth term next year.

Cumulatively, Baucus has raised $6 million since the midterm elections. That is as much as Montana’s senior Senator raised in total for his 2002 re-election, according to his campaign.

State Rep. Mike Lange (R) entered the race just days before the filing period ended. Nonetheless, GOP leaders are still searching for a better-known candidate.
— Nicole Duran