Franken out-raises Coleman again

Washington (AP) — For the third straight reporting period, DFL candidate Al Franken has out-raised Sen. Norm Coleman.

Franken says he raised nearly $1.9 million in the last quarter of 2007, while Coleman reports raising $1.7 million.

But Coleman was able to widen his cash-on-hand advantage over Franken. Coleman finished the year with about $6 million, compared to just under $3.1 million for Franken, a comedian-turned-politician.

For the year, Franken raised around $7 million, while Coleman raised $6.6 million.

Franken is battling Democrat Mike Ciresi and others for the right to take on Coleman, a Minnesota Republican. Ciresi did not immediately release his latest campaign figures.

In a video sent to supporters, Franken says he will start running television ads soon.