Former Rep. Heather Wilson announced Monday that she will report raising more than $300,000 in the first quarter — a hefty sum considering Wilson did not announce her candidacy until March 7, 24 days before the end of the quarter.

Wilson had $282,000 on hand as of March 31 and is currently the frontrunner for the GOP nomination in the race to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Jeff Bingaman. According to her campaign, 87 percent of the former five-term Congresswoman’s donations came from within the state.

“New Mexicans are tired of government in Washington spending money we don’t have. I am honored that so many New Mexicans have been willing to support my candidacy this early and help me bring a new quality of leadership to the United States Senate,” Wilson said.

Democratic Rep. Martin Heinrich announced his Senate campaign April 2, two days after the first quarter fundraising deadline. He has not yet announced his House fundraising from the first three months of the year, but he ended 2010 after a tough re-election with $54,000 on hand.