Christie super PAC raises $11 million

The super PAC supporting Gov. Christie's presidential candidacy announced Tuesday that it had raised $11 million since it was formed in February, a haul close to some of his competitors' but significantly less than the amount raised by allies of Jeb Bush.

Christie, a Republican who formally announced his candidacy June 30, has not disclosed fund-raising totals for his campaign. He will not have to report those figures until Oct. 15.

Phil Cox, director of the super PAC America Leads, said the group had set a goal of raising $15 million to $20 million by the end of 2015 and was on track to exceed that. The PAC had not previously disclosed a fund-raising goal.

"People are responding to Gov. Christie's strength, substance, and willingness to tell it like it is," Cox said in a statement Tuesday.

The PAC also said it had reserved $2.8 million in TV ad time in New Hampshire from mid-November through early February, when the state will hold its primary.

Cox said the group would begin advertising in the Granite State on Monday, with an initial $1.1 million TV and digital ad buy.

Christie has delivered several policy speeches in New Hampshire, which holds the nation's first primary, and will continue his town-hall circuit there this week.

The governor is trailing in polls there and nationally, but his backers predict that he will pick up ground in the debates and through voter interaction.

Super PACs are expected to play an outsize role in the 2016 campaign, since they can raise an unlimited amount of money from corporations, unions, and individuals. However, they may not coordinate with campaigns. Individuals contributing directly to a campaign are limited to $2,700 each for the primary and general elections, a maximum total of $5,400.

The super PAC supporting former Florida Gov. Bush, Right to Rise, announced last week that it had raised more than $100 million. His campaign has raised about $11 million. Outside groups have pulled in about $32 million in support of Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, whose campaign has raised an additional $12 million.

Allies of Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas have raised $38 million, while his campaign has brought in $14.5 million since it began in March, according to news reports.

Super PACs will have to disclose fund-raising activity to the Federal Election Commission by July 31.