By BRIAN LYMAN

MONTGOMERY — Republican presidential candidate John McCain is slightly ahead of Democrat Barack Obama in state fundraising, but Democrats have narrowed the gap since 2004.

McCain raised $1.7 million in Alabama from Jan. 1, 2007, through Oct. 15, 2008, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. Obama brought in about $1.4 million.

The totals are down from 2004 but reflect significant improvement for the Democratic presidential nominee.

President Bush drew $3.1 million in Alabama, more than five times the $537,000 that John Kerry received, according to politicalbase.com, a left-leaning political Web site that compiles fundraising reports over election cycles.

McCain is expected to win Alabama in Tuesday’s election.

“It may say deep-pocketed Republicans may have thought it was a better investment to put their money in competitive state-level races,” said Jess Brown, a political science professor at Athens State University.

The parties are battling for open seats in the 2nd Congressional District in southeastern Alabama and the 5th Congressional District in the northern part of the state.

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Anniston, also faces strong competition from Montgomery attorney Joshua Segall in eastern Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District.

Between primaries and the general election, the congressional races have attracted more than $10.8 million in contributions, compared with $3.1 million for the presidential race.

“This is a significant achievement in this economic environment,” Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Joe Turnham said.

The state Supreme Court race between Democrat Deborah Bell Paseur and Republican Greg Shaw drew more than $1 million in contributions to the two campaigns through mid-September, according to the Alabama Secretary of State’s Web site.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R- Mobile, is opposed by state Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, a Democrat from Mobile, but that race is not considered competitive.

“It’s not to say these folks aren’t taking the national election just as seriously, but the need for Republican dollars in Alabama has been spread out among several congressional races, Sen. Sessions and the Supreme Court race,” Alabama Republican Party Executive Director John Ross said. “There’s more need across the board than four years ago.”

In the southwest part of the state, McCain raised $248,483, while Obama received $134,920. McCain led fundraising in all areas of the state except Huntsville and Montgomery.

Presidential candidates have spent nearly $1.4 billion nationally over the past 22 months in their bids for the White House.