Hillary Clinton Reports She Has $24M to Spend at End of First Quarter

WASHINGTON – Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton had $24 million to spend in her presidential primary campaign at the end of the first quarter, a daunting figure as she seeks to dominate the Democratic field.

Overall, Clinton raised $26 million in the first three months of the year, but $6.9 million is set aside for the general election and can't be used unless she wins her party's nomination.

That means she raised less money for the primary election than her closest rival, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois.

Obama had not yet filed his report with the FEC Sunday afternoon, but earlier this month he reported raising $23.5 million for the primary.

John Edwards reported raising $13 million for the primary, was third in fundraising among leading Democrats.

Clinton, the senator from New York, spent $5 million during the first quarter of the year, according to documents her campaign filed with the Federal Election Commission Sunday.

Clinton's cash on hand got a substantial boost from a $10 million transfer from her Senate campaign. Her campaign also reported $1.6 million in debts.

Edwards reported $10.7 million in the bank for his presidential campaign at the end of the first three months of the year, a solid foundation as he tries to stay within reach of the party front-runners.

Candidates had until midnight Sunday to file their financial reports.

Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., reported $6.4 million in cash on hand for the primary election. That money includes a transfer from his Senate campaign account of nearly $5 million.

Meanwhile, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson showed surprising fundraising considering a late start and a state legislative session to occupied much of his time. He reported raising $6.25 million and $5 million cash on hand.

Sen. Joe Biden ended the quarter with a balance of $2.8 million.