Sen. Barbara Boxer Throwing Clout Behind Ruiz in Million Dollar Congressional Race

California Senator Barbara Boxer will be attending a fundraiser for Dr. Raul Ruiz Monday, as the heated election for the 36th congressional district heads in the final stretch.

The event is hosted by Barbara and Jerry Keller from 4-5:30 p.m. at LuLu California Bistro in Palm Springs, according to Ruiz's Finance Coordinator, Vivek Kembaiyan.

Tickets for the event start at $100, and were still available for purchase as of Sunday night, via this website.

With this fundraiser, Ruiz looks to inch closer in fundraising dollars to Rep. Mary Bono Mack, who has held the district seat since 1998.

"Dr. Ruiz needs our help to cross the finish line and win," the fundraising website for Monday's event states.

Million Dollar Campaign

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, which runs the website OpenSecrets.org, both Ruiz and Bono Mack have raised more than $1.5 million so far.

As of Oct. 17, the incumbent had raised $1,942,526-- and spent $1,595,976 of that money, according to data provided by OpenSecrets.org.

Ruiz has raised slightly less than the congresswoman-- but not much.  As of the same date, Oct. 17, he had pulled together $1,531,248 in campaign donations, and spent $1,167,247, data indicates.

This congressional election has become increasingly more volatile as the two candidates inch closer to Nov. 6.  Check out the latest campaign ads above and let us know what YOU think of this race.