CHRIS TOMLINSON, Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Democratic candidate for governor Wendy Davis outraised her opponent over the last 30 days, while Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott has $30 million socked away, almost three times as much as Davis, the campaigns said Monday while meeting a fundraising reporting deadline.
Davis’s campaign raised $2.85 million to Abbott’s $2.5 million between Jan. 24 and Feb. 22, according to the statements. But with only $11 million cash-on-hand, Davis remains at a disadvantage going into the general election. Early voting is underway for the March 4 primary election, where neither Davis nor Abbott face a serious challenger.
Abbott and Davis have sharpened their attacks on each other since late January over border security and Abbott’s decision to campaign with outspoken rocker Ted Nugent. The reporting period, which ended Saturday, included four days where Davis used Abbott’s appearance with Nugent to raise money.
Abbott and Davis could set records for individual contributions and donors. In his final re-election campaign, Perry raised $39 million in 2010. There are no limits on campaign donations in Texas state races.
(Related story: Davis’ shadow hovers over District 10 race.)
Both campaigns highlighted statistics they said show they’re winning the race for money and public support.
Davis said she’s had 91,000 individual contributors since June, when she first attracted national attention for filibustering a bill that imposed strict limits on when, where and how a woman can have an abortion. She reported adding 14,349 new individual contributors in the latest reporting period.
“We are surpassing expectations,” said Karin Johanson, Davis’ campaign manager. “The level of support we are receiving across the state demonstrates the issues we are emphasizing – education, the economy and caring for our veterans – are Texas values.”
Wayne Hamilton, Abbott’s campaign manager, said 98 percent of the donations to his candidate came from within Texas.
“As the campaign progresses, Greg Abbott will continue to travel the state, speaking with and hearing from Texans who share his goal to improve Texas’ education system, grow jobs, and strengthen individual freedom,” Hamilton said. He added that unlike the Davis campaign, Abbott is providing to the Texas Ethics Commission a breakdown of every individual donation.
Texas law does not require campaigns to itemize small donations from individual donors.
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