NEWARK, N.J. (AP) – Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz’s campaign says it has raised nearly $20 million over the last three months.

The large haul further cements Cruz’s status as a serious contender for the nomination heading into the Iowa caucuses on February 1.

Cruz’s campaign says in a memo to supporters that he will finish the year having raised over $45 million.

That means his haul over the final quarter will be significantly larger than the $12.2 million he raised during the previous three months.

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson brought in a similar haul during that third quarter but has seen his standing fall.

Candidates aren’t required to report their end-of-year fundraising numbers until January 31, the eve of the Iowa causes.