In governor fundraising, Abbott ahead but Davis outpaces

By Matthew Waller

AUSTIN — State Sen. Wendy Davis of Fort Worth, the lead Democrat running for governor, outpaced Republican front-runner for governor Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott in the latest fundraising period, although she is still behind Abbott in terms of cash on hand.

Before the midnight deadline for the latest reporting period, Davis’ campaign said she raised $2.85 million from Jan. 24 to Feb. 22, with more than $11.3 million cash on hand.

Abbott’s campaign reported raising $2.45 million over the same period and reported having $29.98 million cash on hand.

“We are surpassing expectations,” Karin Johanson, the campaign manager for the Wendy R. Davis for Governor Campaign, said in a statement. “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.”

Abbott boasted that 98 percent of the contributions come from Texas. The campaign has noted that Davis has gotten more out-of-state donations.

“Texans from across the state are joining Greg Abbott in building a strong campaign and a brighter future for Texas,” Abbott’s campaign manager, Wayne Hamilton, said in a statement. “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.”

Davis has three contribution accounts, Wendy R. Davis for Governor, Inc., Wendy R. Davis Candidate/Officeholder and the Texas Victory Committee, Inc.

She noted that since July, more than 118,000 contributions of $50 or less make up 85 percent of the contributions.

“Grass roots enthusiasm for the Wendy Davis campaign continues to grow as demonstrated by our more than 90,000 contributors,” Johanson said in the release.

Republished with permission from the San Angelo Standard-Times.