Romney rakes in $111.8M to date in October, on heels of debates

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Mitt Romney's campaign announced Thursday morning it has raised $111.8 million since the beginning of October.

The staggering total is set to outpace his fundraising effort in September, when the Republican nominee raised $170 million, just short of President Obama's $181 million for the month.

The money raised -- through a joint effort between the Republican National Committee and the campaign -- will aide Romney in flooding the airwaves with ads during the final weeks of the campaign.

The total would suggest Romney is capitalizing off his strong debate performances, beginning in early October. Since then, crowd sizes at his rallies have grown and the polls have tightened.

The campaign has $169 million cash on hand.

According to the campaign, 92 percent of donations were $250 or less, totaling more than $38 million.

"Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are offering a vision for the country that will finally bring a real recovery to the American people," finance chair Spencer Zwick said in a statement. "Their plan will bring much needed change after the last four years and it is why we have seen such momentum and strong support from our donors."