Paxton Campaign Announces Nearly $2.3 Million On Hand

Ken Paxton's campaign for attorney general has nearly $2.3 million on hand, according to a press release issued Wednesday. The campaign's latest finance report will show more than $1 million raised in the last six months.

Paxton, a state senator from McKinney, is running against Texas Railroad Commission Chairman Barry Smitherman and state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, in the Republican primary.

Now that all the candidates have announced their totals, it's clear that Branch, with more than $4.9 million cash on hand, has the financial advantage. Smitherman reported nearly $2.1 million on hand. Since the last filing period, Branch raised about $1.9 million, and Smitherman raised about $1.7 million.

Despite reporting the least money raised of the three since July, Paxton has consistently won straw polls held by conservative groups around the state. In Wednesday's press release, his campaign asserted that its totals demonstrate that Paxton "is well-positioned to wage a competitive media campaign and build on his leadership as the clear choice of the conservative grassroots."