(MYSTIC) - The Simmons for Senate campaign today announced it has raised nearly $1 million in the third quarter from 5,305 donors bringing the total number of donors to Simmons' campaign to nearly 10,000. Cash on hand at the end of the third quarter totaled over $1 million.

The haul is an improvement over Simmons' record-breaking second quarter take of $753,691 in which he posted more donors than all other candidates, including Senator Dodd, combined. Nearly 90 percent of Simmons' third quarter donors are small donors contributing less than $200.

"I am grateful to the thousands of grassroots supporters who have come forward to support my campaign," said Simmons. "Connecticut's U.S. Senate seat cannot be bought, but must be earned voter by voter. My campaign's fundraising success, fueled by contributions from over 5,300 donors, lends further momentum to my campaign and is evidence that voters are rallying to my side as the candidate best able to defeat Senator Dodd and return common sense and decency to Washington." support my campaign," said Simmons.

SIMMONS 3rd QUARTER FUNDRAISING FACTS:

Total Raised Q3: $967,907 Total Raised Campaign To Date: $1,721,599

Total Cash On Hand: $1,086,352

Total Q3Donors: 5,305

Total Donors Campaign To Date: 9,708

Total Q3 Small Donors: 4,646

Total Small Donors Campaign To Date: 8,582

Average Q3 Donation: $181

Average Donation Campaign To Date: $173