Democratic candidate for the 8th congressional district Tammy Duckworth has announced that she is near the $1 million mark in fundraising for her campaign. Duckworth raised more than $470,000 during 2011's final quarter, bringing her totals just under $1 million after combining it with the $476,000 she reportedly raised in Q3.

“Most candidates experience a drop off in fundraising after the first quarter of their campaign, and ever more so when you include the holidays," said Deputy Campaign Manager for Duckworth Kaitlin Fahey. "But Tammy is showing her staying power as she continues to win the support of thousands of people. Tammy is clearly the strongest choice to face [U.S. Rep Joe] Walsh in the November general election.”

Meanwhile, her Democratic opponent, Raja Krishnamoorthi, has raised more than $1 million during his run, according to an email sent out by the campaign earlier this week.

"We have crossed the $1,000,000 mark for total raised in the campaign," Krishnamoorthi campaign spokesman Mike Murray told Lynn Sweet of the Sun-Times. "We don't have Q4 or cash on hand numbers yet as we are still receiving checks and still counting everything. But $726,184 was the total raised as of Q3. So whatever the difference is between those 2 numbers (are) the floor for Q4. We feel strongly that we will have the resources needed to win in March and have demonstrated that we will be able to raise the resources to prevail against Tea Party Republican Joe Walsh in November."

Duckworth's campaign, however, points out that Krisnamoorthi had an additional quarter to fundraise before she joined the race in the 8th congressional district.