U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Tucson) has raised over $2.7 million and has $2.147 million on hand as of Aug. 13, according to figures released by the campaign Wednesday.

Between July 1 and the second week of August, the campaign reported raising $230,000, including donations from 500 new contributors.

"The large number of individual contributors is a clear indication of the kind of deep 'cactus roots' support that Gabrielle Giffords has," said Michael McNulty, who chairs Giffords's campaign. "This will be tough campaign but Gabrielle knows she has the people on her side."

Giffords, a freshman, is facing state Sen. Pres. Tim Bee (R-Tucson) in her first re-election fight. The Bee campaign has yet to release its numbers, but a fundraiser held with Pres. Bush in July will likely provide a big boost for his campaigns. The event reportedly raised $500,000, most of which went to Bee's efforts.

Yet Bee will have to outdo Giffords to achieve parity. As of July 1, Bee had almost $688,000 on hand, putting him at a severe money disadvantage to the incumbent.