Gillibrand builds campaign chest

ALBANY, NY (AP) -  U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has raised $1.4 million in campaign cash for the latest quarter as she starts spending heavily on her re-election bid.

Gillibrand is reporting to federal elections officials Monday that she has $2.6 million in her account. Gillibrand had amassed $10.5 million by this summer, but recently has been spending money to air TV commercials statewide as she faces Republican challenger Wendy Long.

It was not clear how much money Long has raised.

Gillibrand is far ahead in the polls as she makes her second Senate run since she was appointed in 2009 to replace Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. Gillibrand won election to finish the last two years of Clinton's term in 2010.

Gillibrand says she has raised $15.2 million since 2010.