Texas state Sen. Dan Patrick says he raised nearly $1.7 million over the past six months for his lieutenant governor campaign.
Patrick, a Houston Republican who heads the powerful Senate Education Committee, said in a statement Monday that he has about $3.1 million in cash on-hand. He noted that's despite already spending more than $1.3 million on television ads.
But Patrick has also in the past extended personal loans to his campaign.
Contributions came from almost 1,200 people, with a mean amount of $1,400.
Patrick is hoping to unseat fellow Republican and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who also is facing challenges from Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and Agriculture Commissioner Todd Stapes in the March 4 GOP primary.
Patrick was the first of the four to divulge his latest fundraising totals.
