Duckworth outraises Kirk in first quarter of 2016

U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., outraised rival Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., in the first quarter of 2016, with the two stepping up fundraising as they head to a November showdown.

Between Jan. 1 and March 31, Kirk raised $1.2 million and ended the quarter with $3.3 million cash on hand.

Duckworth during that same period raised $2.1 million and has over $4 million on hand as of the end of last month.

The Kirk and Duckworth campaigns released top-line numbers on Monday, with more detailed reports to be filed with the Senate.

Kirk campaign manager Kevin Artl said in a statement, “Since his recovery from a stroke in 2012, Senator Kirk has raised over $8 million from over 20,000 donors. “

Duckworth campaign manager Kaitlin Fahey said in a statement, “This was our campaign’s strongest quarter yet, with both a decisive primary win and significant growth in our base of grassroots contributors.”