U.S. President Barack Obama raised $43.6 million last month for his campaign and the Democratic Party, as he pushes for re-election against likely Republican rival Mitt Romney.

The April fundraising total is less than the $53 million the president and the Democratic National Committee collected in March, but he has still been able to bring in more money than Mr. Romney.

Announcing the fundraising figures in a video released Wednesday, President Obama's campaign manager Jim Messina said the November election will be “close, given the historic challenges the nation faced when the president first came into office.”

Republican organization Crossroads GPS said Wednesday it would spend $25 million on advertising against Mr. Obama.

The president met with small-business owners Wednesday in Washington, while Mr. Romney focussed on several fundraising events in Florida.

With state primary wins Tuesday in Oregon and Nebaska, Mr. Romney is edging closer to clinching the Republican nomination.