Top-tier Cain pulls in second-tier cash

Newly minted GOP front-runner Herman Cain lags the other top-tier presidential candidates in newly released third-quarter filings, putting his campaign in jeopardy.

The former restaurant industry executive raised $2.6 million, far less than the amounts collected by Rick Perry ($17.2 million), Mitt Romney ($14.2 million) or Ron Paul ($7.7 million). 

{mosads}The June-September period, however, was well underway when Cain’s campaign took off after his strong showing at recent debates and his Florida straw poll victory.

Cain’s total take during the period was $2.8 million, which includes a $175,000 loan to himself. 

To date, Cain has raised $5.4 million, including $675,000 in loans.

“Within the last week or so, our fundraising has really picked up a lot, because of the response of the public,” Cain said Thursday.

Cain also told NPR Thursday that the campaign “brought on an entire team” of around 10 new people to ramp up efforts in early primary states. 

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who declared his candidacy in June, has amassed the biggest war chest: more than $32 million in contributions. Texas Gov. Rick Perry is in second place, with just the $17.2 million he raised this quarter.

Texas Rep. Ron Paul (Texas) is in third place, with $12.2 million raised overall.

Rep. Michele Bachmann (Minn.), whose numbers have tapered off since winning the Ames, Iowa, straw poll, pulled in $3.9 million in the third quarter and has about $1.3 million cash on hand.

President Obama’s campaign continues to dwarf the challengers. Obama and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) raised a combined $70 million in the third quarter.