Bachmann: $16 million and counting

Michele Bachmann has raised and spent more money this election cycle than any member of the House aside from Speaker John Boehner – close to $16 million through the end of July alone.

But the Minnesota GOP congresswoman and former presidential candidate is still going pedal-to-the-metal with her fundraising efforts as she attempts to fend off a determined Democratic effort to oust her.

“I've never needed your support as much as I do today,” she writes in her most recent fundraising email appeal. “In 10 days, we must close our financial books and report our fundraising numbers and, unfortunately, we are still short of our fundraising goals by more than $376,000. This is a deficit that we MUST overcome--in the face of senseless attacks from a ruthless opponent, we can't afford to leave any stone unturned.”

While the race is close and the DCCC has flagged Minnesota’s 6th District as an “emerging race,” Bachmann still appears to have a clear advantage in what is the most Republican seat in the state.

At the moment, it's the Iron Range-based 8th District, where GOP Rep. Chip Cravaack rates as one of the most vulnerable freshmen, that's widely thought to be the state's most competitive House race.