STATEWIDE — Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has raised less than half of what his Democratic challenger has brought in this year.

Cruz's campaign says the state's junior senator will report raising $3.2 million in the first three months of 2018. Earlier this month, Congressman Beto O'Rourke announced he'd taken in a stunning $6.7 million dollars.

The El Paso Democrat's campaign has also drawn attention for avoiding support from political action committees.

Cruz’s fundraising total takes into account three groups, including PACs.

Both Cruz and O’Rourke report having more than $8 million on hand.

While O'Rourke's fundraising and the growing enthusiasm surrounding his campaign have excited Democrats, political experts say Cruz remains in a strong position to win re-election.

Cruz is also expected to have big support from super PACs in the fall.