Romney Leads GOP Prez Field in Fund-raising

Several potential Republican presidential candidates place near the top of straw polls with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. But no one is close to him in terms of money raised last year, The Hill reports.

Romney garnered $6.3 million between his federal and state-based political action committees in 2010, ending the year with $1.4 million cash on hand. That's the largest 2010 total of any rumored Republican presidential hopeful by far. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin came in second, raising $3.5 million during 2010, ending the year with $1.3 million cash on hand.

Romney's Free and Strong America PAC ended the year by raising $174,000 from Nov. 23 onward. His five state-based political action committees raised another $36,000 over the same period.

While Romney's year-long totals surpassed other potential GOP presidential contenders, Palin did raise more than Romney from Nov. 23 onward, pulling in more than $275,000.