Van de Putte Campaign Has $250,000 in Bank

Democratic lieutenant governor hopeful Leticia Van de Putte has $250,000 in her campaign coffers as she waits for voters in the March Republican primary to decide whom she will face in the general election.

The San Antonio state senator announced her bid in late November. By the December fundraising deadline, she collected about $290,000 in contributions — but that sum includes $100,000 in transfers from a previous Van de Putte campaign fund established to support her run for the state Legislature. The next largest source of funds for Van de Putte was Annie's List. The Texas-based advocacy group focused on electing women to political office gave her campaign $25,000. 

Van de Putte's numbers trail significantly behind the four Republicans vying to oppose her on the ballot this November — Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples and state Sen. Dan Patrick each reported about $3.1 million in the bank; incumbent David Dewhurst reported $1.4 million; and Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson reported $565,000. 

But without a primary opponent herself, Van de Putte, who also entered the race much later than her Republican counterparts, has time to make up some ground.