Fred Karger Releases Fund-raising Total

In the race to become the Republican nominee, Fred Karger lags in polls and also in cash flow, according to new numbers he disclosed for the second quarter of fund-raising.

Karger will report $80,000 raised during the last three months, but "now the fund-raising begins," he said. The gay candidate is planning an event at the end of July in Beverly Hills at the home of real estate agent Michael Libow, and tickets range from $100 to $2,500. Other events in Karger's home state are in the works in San Francisco and San Diego, plus in Chicago and New York. He has been holding numerous fund-raisers, with recent events in Sacramento and Laguna Beach, Calif.

Front-runner Mitt Romney raised $18.25 million between April 1 and June 30, according to The Washington Post. The former Massachusetts governor is way ahead of Texas congressman Ron Paul ($4.5 million), former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty ($4.2 million), former Utah governor Jon Huntsman ($4.1 million), pizza chain founder Herman Cain ($2.5 million), and former House speaker Newt Gingrich ($2 million).

Neither Rick Santorum or Michele Bachmann has released totals, and the deadline for filing to the Federal Election Commission is midnight July 15.

Karger, a political consultant by trade, faces a challenge gaining traction with primary voters, in part because he hasn't been allowed into debates. Rules required candidates to first reach 1% in five national polls, most of which haven't even asked about Karger.

The next debate will be held in Ames, Iowa, August 11.