Republican Richard Tisei pulled in an impressive $350,000 in the first quarter of 2012 in his bid to unseat Rep. John Tierney (D-Mass.). Tisei, a former state Senator and GOP nominee for lieutenant governor, managed to raise the substantial sum despite being a Republican in a state that overwhelmingly favors Democrats.

His campaign told Roll Call he ended last month with $454,000 in cash on hand. Tierney’s fundraising numbers for the first quarter were not immediately available.

In the fourth quarter of last year, Tisei raised $312,000 to Tierney’s $161,000, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

Tisei, who is openly gay, is libertarian on social issues while espousing conservative positions on fiscal ones.

Former Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman, who has recently become a proponent of gay marriage, will hold a fundraiser April 12 for Tisei.

Roll Call rates the 6th district race as Leans Democratic.