Grimes outraises McConnell again in Ky.

Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes outraised Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) for the second straight quarter this cycle, bringing in more than $2.7 million in the first three months of the year.

McConnell raised $2.4 million, and his primary challenger, businessman Matt Bevin, raised $1.1 million. Grimes also slightly edged McConnell in the third quarter of last year, and nearly kept pace with him in the fourth quarter.

{mosads}Grimes now has almost $5 million cash on hand, while McConnell has $10.4 million in the bank, almost $500,000 less than what he posted at the start of the year.

That marks a significant early burn rate for the senator, who has had to contend with attacks from both his right and left flanks while Grimes has thus far been able to save most of her money.

Still, neither candidate will want for money in the general election, if McConnell makes it through his primary as expected. Outside groups are already spending on the race, and McConnell is a top Democratic target this cycle.

McConnell’s campaign dismissed the fundraising showing as money from “ultra rich liberal elite” donors that also support Obama, rather than an indication of Kentucky support.

“The very same ultra rich liberal elite who bankrolled Barack Obama into the White House are pulling out all the stops for Alison Lundergan Grimes,” said the senator’s spokeswoman, Allison Moore. “Kentuckians know darn well her entire campaign is funded by those who seek to destroy Kentucky values and our way of life and the only way they can accomplish that is by getting rid of the man responsible for stopping them, Mitch McConnell.”