Richardson closes in on third place

WASHINGTON, July 15 (UPI) -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson showed unexpected money-raising prowess in the second quarter, his campaign fundraising disclosure report showed Sunday.

The Democratic presidential hopeful's campaign said he raised $7 million between April and June, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Richardson's fundraising success puts him within striking distance of former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., whose aides said he raised $9 million in the second quarter, a marked drop-off from the $15 million he garnered in the first three months of the year.

But both Richardson and Edwards lag far behind front-runners Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., who raised $27 million, and Barack Obama, D-Ill., who raised $32 million.