Abbott Maintains Huge Cash Advantage In Re-Election Bid
AUSTIN (AP) - Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's re-election campaign has an enormous financial advantage over Democratic challenger Lupe Valdez with less than four months until Election Day.
The Republican governor has nearly $29 million in the bank while Valdez has $222,000. Valdez said Tuesday the race won't be bought and isn't about "courting big donors and answering to special interests."
Texas candidates were required to report new fundraising numbers this week under a campaign finance deadline. Abbott is a heavy favorite to win a second term in November over Valdez, the former Dallas County sheriff who would be Texas' first Latina governor.
It doesn't mean Texas Democrats are sitting on their money in 2018. Beto O'Rourke is outraising U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and several Democratic congressional challengers have also outraised GOP incumbents.
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