Romney reports raising $14.2 million in 3Q

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Republican U.S. presidential hopeful Mitt Romney raised $14.2 million in the third quarter from nearly 56,000 contributors, his campaign announced Friday.

Romney's fundraising was nearly $4 million less than what he took in during the three months prior and puts him second behind Texas Gov. Rick Perry among Republicans for the largest amount raised from July to September, The Hill reported.

Reporting $17 million, Perry raised nearly $3 million more than Romney despite entering the race Aug. 13, halfway through the quarter.

"We are proud of the $32 million we have raised for the campaign so far," Spencer Zwick, Romney's national finance director, said in a statement. "This is just the start of the effort to help fuel Mitt Romney's message that will defeat President Obama next November."

Romney also reported ending September with $14.65 million in the bank, not too far behind Perry, who reported $15 million cash on hand, The Hill reported.

Candidates are required to submit third-quarter information to the Federal Elections Commission by Saturday.