Sen. Harry Reid raises $5 million for re-election bid

WASHINGTON (AP) " Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada raised more than $2 million in campaign contributions during the first quarter of 2009, giving him an early

$5 million war chest as he seeks re-election.

Reid's campaign disclosed the fundraising totals Wednesday, along with a warning to potential opponents.

"Anyone considering running against Senator Reid, should know that we will be armed and ready to run an aggressive campaign," said Brandon Hall, the senator's campaign manager.

But Republican officials in Washington countered that the fundraising totals show that Reid knows he'll be in a competitive race next year. They said the more relevant numbers are Reid's approval ratings, below 50 percent, which is dangerous territory for an incumbent, said Brian Walsh, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

The fundraising totals for the quarter show that individuals contributed about $1.6 million to Reid's campaign, and political action committees donated about $650,000.

Reid is serving his fourth term. He won his last election rather handily, but came out just 428 votes ahead in 1998.