Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson says he raised $417,000 the last two weeks of June and now has $1.3 million in cash-on-hand for his campaign for lieutenant governor.
Patterson is part of a crowded field for the post's Republican primary that includes Agricultural Commissioner Todd Staples and state Sen. Dan Patrick of Houston.
Current Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst also says he's seeking re-election.
Texas officeholders can't fundraise until 20 days after the end of the regular legislative session, which concluded May 27.
Patterson on Monday called his haul between June 17-30 "pretty strong for 13 days of work."
But he said such a crowded field likely means a separate runoff election between the top-two primary finishers. Patterson says he'll likely need $3 million more to make it that far.
