AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Cash is pouring quick into the Texas governor’s race headlined by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and Democrat Beto O’Rourke, who each reported large early fundraising hauls Monday that places the marketing campaign on an accelerated observe to turn into one of many nation’s costliest in 2022.
O’Rourke stated he raised $7.2 million within the weeks after coming into the race in mid-November — a major quantity by the requirements of Texas Democrats and an early marker of his potential to stay a fundraising powerhouse after failed bids for the U.S. Senate and president.
Abbott stated he raised greater than double that quantity over the ultimate months of 2021 and is now sitting on $65 million, underscoring his standing as the nation's most prolific fundraising governor in historical past and the way his operation is supercharged by six- and seven-figure donations from rich Texas executives.
Texas has no limits on marketing campaign contributions.
“These beneficiant contributions from folks all throughout Texas present simply how excited Texans are for this marketing campaign,” stated Abbott, whose marketing campaign stated in an announcement that roughly one in 4 of his most up-to-date donors have been first-time contributors.
The announcement from each campaigns included solely top-line numbers and never the place Abbott and O’Rourke pulled of their assist, or their largest contributors. O’Rourke’s marketing campaign stated that donations got here “from each a part of Texas” however didn't present a determine of how a lot got here from state residents.
A full accounting of each campaigns’ contributors needs to be turn into public this week.
O’Rourke has made the failures of final winter’s lethal energy grid collapse in Texas a centerpiece of his underdog marketing campaign. Executives of Texas oil and gasoline corporations, who critics say dodged harder laws within the aftermath of the blackouts, are amongst Abbott's largest donors.
“Whereas Abbott is taking million-dollar checks from the CEOs who profited off of the grid collapse, we’re receiving assist from folks throughout Texas who wish to make sure that our state lastly leads in nice jobs, world class faculties and the power to see a health care provider,” O’Rourke stated.
O’Rourke raised $80 million in his 2018 Senate marketing campaign — on the time a document for that workplace — however his donors won't be confined this time by federal marketing campaign finance legislation limits.
Texas’ main election is March 1, the primary within the nation this yr. Abbott is searching for a 3rd time period and for the primary time has drawn a number of GOP challengers from the far proper, together with former Florida congressman Allen West.
/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/world/us/2022/01/18/millions-of-dollars-pour-early-into-texas-governors-race/20220118080128-61e6c06e3bf9ff51c2e2435bjpeg.jpg)
/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/world/us/2022/01/18/millions-of-dollars-pour-early-into-texas-governors-race/20220118080128-61e6c0703bf9ff51c2e2435cjpeg.jpg)
/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/world/us/2022/01/18/millions-of-dollars-pour-early-into-texas-governors-race/20220118080128-61e6c0713bf9ff51c2e2435djpeg.jpg)
/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/world/us/2022/01/18/millions-of-dollars-pour-early-into-texas-governors-race/20220118080128-61e6c0733bf9ff51c2e2435ejpeg.jpg)