DENVER (AP) – Republican congressional candidate Joe Coors Jr. has invested more than a half-million dollars of his own money this year to try to unseat Democratic Colorado Rep. Ed Perlmutter.

Fundraising figures released Friday show Coors gave his campaign $350,000, and paid that amount to Maryland-based On Message Inc., an advertising firm.

Coors is the great-grandson of brewery founder Adolph Coors. His radio and television ads feature him saying he’s “not a beer” and touting his experience running a manufacturing company.

Coors raised $543,443 from April 1 to June 6, including the $350,000. Perlmutter raised $293,159 during that time from individuals and political groups.

The reports on state congressional races are being released ahead of the June 26 primaries. Quarterly reports are due later this month.

Coors contributed $218,000 to his campaign earlier this year.

By IVAN MORENO, Associated Press

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)