Abbott outraised Davis in January

Photo: AP Photo: AP Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Abbott outraised Davis in January 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN — Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott outraised Democratic Sen. Wendy Davis by more than three to one in the first three weeks in January in the race for governor, according to figures reported by each campaign.

The $3.1 million that Abbott raised from Jan. 1 through Jan. 23, the period covered by campaign-finance reports due Monday, gave him $29.4 million in cash on hand for the race against Davis.

Davis raised $912,996 over the same period, counting two of her committees and a joint effort with Battleground Texas, which is dedicated to making Texas competitive for Democrats. She reported $10.2 million on hand.

The comparison could take some of the shine from the big money that Davis hauled in during the last six months of 2013 when, counting the same three fundraising committees, she took in $12.2 million compared to $11.5 million for Abbott, long a top fundraiser.

“With the previous announcement, she got a lot of positive attention because she had raised more than people expected and had more relative to Abbott than anyone expected,” said University of Texas-Pan American political scientist Jerry Polinard. “This is another way (for Abbott) of reminding people, 'Wait a minute, we are still in a very red state. I've got more money.'”

Full details about the size and source of their contributions weren't immediately available. The reports were due to be filed at the Texas Ethics Commission ahead of the March 4 primary at which Abbott and Davis are expected to receive their party nominations.

Republicans have cried foul about Davis' decision to count the money raised by the Texas Victory Committee, her joint effort with Battleground Texas, in her fundraising tallies. They say their gubernatorial candidate should then be able to count other money raised to help elect Texas Republicans.

The Davis camp has said it was proper to count the Victory Committee because her campaign asked people to donate to it and it was formed to help support her election.

The campaign finance reports come after a tough January for Davis in which a Dallas Morning News story focused on “blurred” facts in the personal story she has told about her journey from being a single mom in a trailer park to Harvard law school.

The fact Davis had shorthanded her story had been previously reported, but the Dallas Morning News story got widespread national attention and threw the campaign off its message. Davis' camp ended up using the flap in fundraising appeals, showcasing what campaign manager Karin Johanson in one e-mail called “vicious attacks” from high-profile conservatives.

More Information Greg Abbott Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott raised $3.1 million from Jan. 1 through Jan. 23. He has $29.4 million in cash on hand. Wendy Davis Democratic Sen. Wendy Davis raised $912,996 counting two of her committees and a joint effort with Battleground Texas, which is dedicated to making Texas competitive for Democrats.

Davis, in a Jan. 23 fundraising email, said, “I have a theory on why my opponent's campaign, and national pundits like Rush Limbaugh, have decided to resort to attacks on my past. We scare the daylights out of them.

The full effect of the Dallas Morning News story on her fundraising is unclear because the latest reporting period ended just a few days after the story was published.

The Abbott campaign's fundraising appeals have described Davis as “Obama's candidate” and cast the election as one pitting conservative versus liberal values.

Polinard said the candidate with the most money doesn't necessarily win, but that a minimum is necessary to be competitive.

“This is important to Abbott to show he's the big player in terms of money. It is important to Davis to at least represent she is competitive to the extent she is not being compared to some of these down-ballot candidates who've got $49.95,” he said.

pfikac@express-news.net

Twitter: @pfikac