WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has raised only about $1.6 million since late February, but lent himself nearly twice that while attempting to beat back a primary challenge from state Sen. Dan Patrick.
Campaign finance records released Tuesday show Dewhurst collecting $1.65 million in donations from Feb. 23 to last week. That’s far less than he’d promised to raise.
Dewhurst also pumped $3 million of his own money into his campaign in April and May, after previously lending it $2 million.
Including earlier loans, Dewhurst’s campaign now is carrying nearly $5.4 million in debts.
The tea party-backed Patrick easily beat Dewhurst in March’s Republican primary, but failed to capture a majority in a four-way race. The runoff is next Tuesday.
Patrick raised more than $4.3 million between late February and last week.