Former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle told reporters in Hawaii that she aims to raise $8 million – $10 million for the U.S. Senate campaign she announced on Tuesday.

That’s a staggering goal, even for a national race. Just think of how intense the Democratic primary race for Hawaii governor was in 2010: The eventual victor, Neil Abercrombie, raked in one-third of that amount. 

When Sen. Daniel Akaka fended off a challenge from former Congressman Ed Case in 2006, Akaka raised about $2 million with help from national Democrats. 

Lingle’s Republican opponent, former state legislator and perennial-candidate John Carroll, is unlikely to detract from Lingle’s fundraising efforts. On the other hand, Democratic candidates Rep. Mazie Hirono and Case are in a tense battle for their party’s support.

Case was quick to criticize Lingle’s fundraising goal in an email to supporters on Tuesday: 

“Linda said today she would raise and spend $8-$10 million on her campaign. My response was that she will be so deeply obligated to D.C. special interest money that there’s no way she will contribute to the change we all want.”