Perry has $9.3 million to start campaign The race for governor

Perry, Hutchison rapidly filling up war chests

Hutchison transferred money from her U.S. Senate account at the end of last year, giving her $8 million to start the campaign.

Perry was prohibited by state law from raising money during the regular legislative session and through the period when he can sign and veto bills. Hutchison had no such restrictions.

Hutchison’s campaign was giving no hint of how much she raised. Detailed reports on fund-raising for the first half of this year are not due until next Wednesday.

“Kay Bailey Hutchison is proud of her strong statewide support, which is both broad and deep,” Hutchison spokesman Hans Klingler said in a statement.

Palin to aid governor

Besides the money, Perry said Wednesday he will have out-going Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin campaigning for him in Texas, according to an interview he gave the Associated Press. Palin is popular with social conservatives who will make up a large portion of the Texas primary turnout.

Perry’s campaign refused to release a list of his donors on Wednesday.

He financed his 1998 race for lieutenant governor in part with a $1.1 million loan guaranteed by three donors. And in 2006, a $1 million donation by Houston businessman Bob Perry, no relation, to the Republican Governor’s Association coincided with a $1 million donation from the RGA to Perry’s campaign.

With half a year of fund-raising left to go, Perry and Hutchison could enter the primary with each having $20 million budgets.

Perry, who has become an evangelist for online politics, bragged that $454,094 of his current fund-raising was done online.

Perry finance chairman Jim Lee of Houston touted the fast fund-raising as a sign of Perry’s political strength.

“This is a remarkable accomplishment and a ringing endorsement of Governor Perry,” said Jim Lee, one of Governor Perry’s state finance chairs. “Ninety-five percent of those contributing are from Texas, showing that Texans continue to appreciate and value his leadership.”

The only officially announced Democrat in the race is Tom Schieffer of Fort Worth.

rg.ratcliffe@chron.com