A close second was the Lt. Governor’s race
where Rick Perry and his Democratic opponent John Sharp reported raising
$10 million each. Together, the two top-of-the-ballot contests accounted
for 44 percent of all the money raised by 1998 statewide and legislative
candidates in Texas. All candidates for the 150 House of Representative
seats raised a total of $23.7 million; candidates for 16 Senate seats gathered
$9.7 million.
Office Sought |
Total
Raised
|
%
of Total
|
Republicans
|
Democrats
|
Governor |
$29,858,975
|
25.9%
|
$25,165,410
|
$4,693,284
|
Lieutenant Governor |
$20,224,512
|
17.6%
|
$10,140,547
|
$10,083,965
|
Attorney General |
$10,120,008
|
8.8%
|
$6,606,416
|
$3,513,592
|
Comptroller |
$6,465,740
|
5.6%
|
$3,451,274
|
$3,014,466
|
Land Commissioner |
$5,448,946
|
4.7%
|
$4,726,146
|
$722,800
|
Agricultural Commissioner |
$1,573,744
|
1.4%
|
$1,378,891
|
$194,853
|
Railroad Commissioner |
$1,297,301
|
1.1%
|
$1,198,770
|
$98,391
|
Supreme Court |
$6,307,115
|
5.5%
|
$5,454,982
|
$852,133
|
State Board of Education |
$442,570
|
0.4%
|
$306,982
|
$135,589
|
Senate |
$9,732,306
|
8.5%
|
$5,281,383
|
$4,450,923
|
House |
$23,650,665
|
20.5%
|
$11,996,657
|
$11,651,260
|
Total
|
$115,132,629
|
100%
|
$75,707,706
|
$39,411,256
|
Republicans Commanded a Major Financial Advantage
Republicans vastly outraised Democrats
even when Governor Bush’s campaign war chest is put aside. Overlooking
the Governor’s race, Republican’s raised $50.5 million compared to the
$34.7 million raised by Democrats. With the Governor’s race, Republicans
raised $75.7 million compared to the Democrats $39.4 million.*
Winners Outraised Losers 2 to 1
The “Winners vs. Losers” split closely
mirrors the Republican-Democrat split. Not surprisingly, winning
candidates accounted for 71 percent of all the money raised. The $81 million
stockpiled by winners trounced the $34 million raised by losers.
This ratio does not change much without the Governor’s race. Disregarding
the top race, winners outraised losers $56 million to $29 million.
This report is based on candidate reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission for the 1998 election cycle. Money raised does not include loans to candidates.