Gov. Rick Perry and Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn, two Republicans who might compete for the state's top job, have a combined $8.7 million in the bank for upcoming elections, their campaign finance reports showed Thursday.
Perry has the advantage in campaign cash on hand with $5.1 million, compared with $3.6 million for Strayhorn a full two years before the Texas governor's race of 2006. They and others who are raising money for possible state candidacies had to file six-month campaign finance reports by Thursday with the Texas Ethics Commission.
-snip-
Republican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison also has not ruled out a run for Texas governor. Her federal campaign account has cash on hand of $6.6 million, but she could not use that in a state race. She has said that if she runs for state office she would offer to return those federal contributions. Donors could then contribute to a state campaign account.
There are no limits on state contributions.
-more-
http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/content/auto/epaper/editions/friday/metro_state_047fd78a2252101100e8.html