Dewhurst Raises $2.3 Million for Re-election Bid

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who is facing three challengers in the March Republican primary, will report $2.3 million in fundraising for the last six months of 2013. 

His campaign finance filing will show $1.4 million cash on hand, a campaign spokesman said Wednesday. That's less than two of his opponents, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples and state Sen. Dan Patrick, who are each expected to report about $3.1 million in their coffers. But Dewhurst, who spent just under $20 million of his own money on his 2012 U.S. Senate race, has demonstrated he is not reluctant to dip into his considerable personal financial resources to fund a campaign. 

Staples' report will show more than $2 million in contributions with "no loans, no debt and no unpaid bills," according to figures from his campaign. Patrick's will show close to $1.7 million in contributions, according to a statement released by his campaign, which noted that Patrick was "poised to raise another $1 million by March."

The fourth candidate in the race, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, has yet to release any early details on his finance numbers. Reports for all candidates are due Jan. 15.