Rubio raises big money in second quarter

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/07/12/art.rubiocu0712.gi.jpg caption="Rubio's cash boost puts the Republican in prime position to blanket the expensive Florida airwaves in what's expected to be a tight three-way battle come November."]
(CNN) - Florida Republican Senate candidate Marco Rubio has posted his best fundraising quarter to date, announcing on Monday a stunning $4.5 million haul over the last three months.

The cash boost puts Rubio in prime position to blanket the expensive Florida airwaves in what's expected to be a tight three-way battle come November.

Rubio's campaign said it has raised $11 million since the beginning of the tumultuous Senate race, which once pitted Rubio against Gov. Charlie Crist in the GOP primary.

Crist fell out of favor with Republican activists and is now seeking the Senate seat as an independent, non-party affiliated candidate. He has not yet released his second quarter fundraising totals.

Two Democrats are squaring off for their party's nomination: Rep. Kendrick Meek, the establishment-backed candidate, and billionaire real estate investor Jeff Greene, who is funding his bid largely out of his own pocket. An aide to Meek said the Democrat raised slightly over $1 million in the second quarter, while Greene has yet to file his financial report.

Contributions to Rubio have ticked up steadily in each successive quarter since he entered the race. In 2009, he collected roughly $3 million. So far this year, the conservative darling has raked in more than $8 million.