BOSTON (AP) — Republican congressional hopeful Richard Tisei has raised more in campaign donations than Democratic U.S. Rep. John Tierney during the most recent fundraising quarter.

Read: Tierney-Tisei Digital Debate on CBS Boston.com

Tisei’s campaign said the former state senator collected nearly $569,000 between April and June.

Tierney’s campaign said the 6th Congressional District incumbent took in more than $400,000 during the same three-month period, bringing his total for the 2012 election cycle to $1.3 million.

Both campaigns have begun reserving television advertising time in October and November in the weeks leading up to Election Day.

Tierney has recently been forced to defend himself from claims by his two brothers-in-law that he had been aware of the illegal nature of their offshore gambling operation.

Republicans see the race as their best chance to win back a U.S. House seat in Massachusetts.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.