Posted Monday, April 30, 2012 --- 5:20 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The race to fill Pam Galloway's state Senate seat is heating up, with the Republican candidate and Democratic front-runner reporting similar fundraising totals.

Galloway is a Republican who was facing a recall election this summer. She resigned in March due to a family issue, but state rules say the election must go on regardless.

The main candidates are Democratic state Rep. Donna Seidel of Wausau and Republican state Rep. Jerry Petrowski of Marathon.

Seidel's campaign reported raising about $97,000, with cash on hand of $38,000. Petrowski raised less, about $87,000, but he still has nearly $79,000 on hand.

Seidel will first take on fake Democrat Jim Buckley of Antigo in a primary next week. The winner faces Petrowski in June.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.