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Blackburn, Bredesen raise millions for Senate race

The race between the two is expected to rival the most expensive election in state history, which was the 2006 U.S. Senate election between Bob Corker and Harold Ford Jr. That race featured an estimated $34 million in spending.

U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn is set to report raising more money from donors than former Gov. Phil Bredesen during the first three months of the year, according to their respective campaigns for U.S. Senate.

Bredesen, a Democrat, received more than $1.8 million from donors from mid-January to late March, his campaign said Monday.

His fundraising effort was bolstered by an additional $1.4 million Bredesen loaned the campaign while seeking to "jumpstart TV and digital advertising."

Shortly after Bredesen announced his fundraising totals, Blackburn's campaign said they raised more than $2 million.

Abbi Sigler, a spokeswoman for Blackburn's campaign, said the fundraising totals did not include any personal contributions or loans.

Earlier in the day, Sigler said the campaign did not anticipate releasing Blackburn's totals before they're on the Federal Election Commission's website.

The announcements comes as candidates begin to file their latest financial disclosures with the Federal Election Commission.

RELATED: Bredesen holds double-digit lead over Blackburn in US Senate race, new MTSU Poll shows

Last month, Bredesen, who is the lone top-tier Democrat in the race, said he did not currently plan on contributing money to his campaign.

“For cash flow purposes I’m perfectly willing to lend money to the campaign,” he said.

The $1.4 million he gave his campaign came in the form of a loan, not a contribution.

► More: Phil Bredesen would be one of the richest members of Congress if elected to Senate

In March, the former Nashville mayor began airing TV ads on stations throughout the state, including the Fox News Channel.

In recent months, Blackburn has made several appearances on national TV and begun running ads on radio.

Bredesen previously reported raising $518,000 in the first 24 days of entering the race.

Blackburn previously reported raising $2 million in the first two months of her campaign, which launched in October.

As of publication, neither Bredesen or Blackburn's financial disclosures are available on the Federal Election Commission's website.

The race between the two is expected to rival the most expensive election in state history, which was the 2006 U.S. Senate election between Bob Corker and Harold Ford Jr. That race featured an estimated $34 million in spending.

Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.

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