Are Top Democratic Presidential Hopefuls Cannibalizing O’Rourke and Castro’s Texas Fundraising?

WASHINGTON -- The fundraising grip that presidential hopefuls Beto O’Rourke and Julián Castro have on their home state of Texas is undergoing a serious test as other Democratic contenders make headway in the crowded 2020 field.That challenge is most apparent among deep-pocketed Lone Star State donors.A Dallas Morning News review of itemized contributions -- those of $200 or more -- given by Texans to Democratic presidential candidates in the second quarter of this year shows that Castro and O’Rourke trailed both former Vice President Joe Biden and Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg.But the native sons remain confident about their home turf, thanks to backing from multitudes of small-dollar Texas donors who could be vital in the delegate-rich and, for the Texas candidates, almost must-win battleground early on the primary calendar.“We're excited to see Beto's support across Texas continue to build on his historic Senate campaign,” O’Rourke campaign spokesman Chris Evans said, referring to the former El Paso congressman’s near-upset last year of Republican Sen. Ted Cruz.  Continue reading...