Republicans Ted Cruz and Dan Branch each have pulled together more than $1 million to run for attorney general. Neither Cruz, the state's former solicitor general, nor Branch, a state representative from Dallas, plans to seek that job unless the current occupant, Greg Abbott, decides to quit or run for another office.Branch, limited by a state law that prevents officeholders from raising money during a legislative session, had only seven days during the first half of the year during which he could raise money. He raised $600,000 from more than 200 people, he said, bringing his cash on hand total to more than $1 million. Cruz wasn't restricted, and raised more than $1 million during the five months since he announced his interest in the job.
Branch said the money will be used for his reelection bid if Abbott decides to seek reelection. Cruz said that, "in that very unlikely case," he'll leave the issue to donors, refunding the money or stashing it for a future run for office. Abbott has been considering a run for lieutenant governor next year. Current Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst plans to run for reelection, but is also considering a bid for U.S. Senate if Kay Bailey Hutchison resigns early to run for governor.
Neither Branch nor Cruz released exact numbers their reports are due next week but Cruz released a list of financial supporters, with the names he's given each group:
George Strake, Jr., Treasurer
Sam Houston Circle ($10k and over)
John Paul DeJoria, Austin
Susanna & Michael Dokupil, Houston
Windi & David Grimes, Houston
Rebecca & Bryan Hardeman, Austin
Jeff Hinck, Minneapolis, MN
Stephanie & Gary Loveless, Houston
Charline & Red McCombs, San Antonio
Deborah & Patrick J. Moran, Houston
Mica & Hon. Robert Mosbacher, Houston
R Club PAC
Tara & Adam Ross, Dallas
Debi & Jim Schneider, Austin
John B. Scott, Dallas
Paul Singer, New York, NY
David A. Spencer, San Antonio
Dian Graves Stai, Abilene
Peter Thiel, San Francisco, CA
John Toussaint, Houston
Lisa & Kenny Troutt, Dallas
Julie & Michael Waldorf, New York, NY
Ashley & Rad Weaver, San Antonio
Modesta & Clayton Williams, Midland
Stephen F. Austin Founders ($5k to $10k)
Mary Katherine & Pedro Alonso, Austin
Ashley & Steven Birdwell, Houston
Bryan R. Bradford, Austin
Gina & Tucker Bridwell, Abilene
Debbie & Chuck Cooper, Washington, DC
Laura & Scott Deskins, Austin
Charles W. Duncan, III, Houston
Anne & Brady Edwards, Houston
Emily & Joe Gifford, Midland
Heather Hunt Graham, Dallas
David Hernandez, Boca Raton, FL
Wendi & Brian Kushner, Austin
Julia Jones Matthews, Abilene
Robert C. McNair, Houston
Christine & Shea Morenz, Houston
Diane & John ONeill, Houston
Chris & Bill Peirson, Dallas
Corbin J. Robertson, Jr., Houston
Farouk Shami, Houston
Rick Sharp, Richmond, VA
Julie & Chad Sweet, New York, NY
Stephen L. Tatum, Fort Worth
Anne & Van Taylor, Dallas
Ralph B. Thomas, Houston
Kim & Dan Tutcher, Houston
Graham Weston, San Antonio
William Barret Travis Commanders ($2k to $5k)
J. Fred Bucy, Dallas
Erin & Brett Busby, Houston
Don E. Childress, Houston
Eugene H. Dawson, San Antonio
Alan W. Dreeben, San Antonio
Ralph Duggins, Fort Worth
Tim Dunn, Midland
Hon. Don L. Evans, Midland
Heather & Elliot Goldman, Fort Worth
Allyson N. Ho, Dallas
Hon. Kenneth Juster, San Francisco, CA
Kristy & Brad Knippa, Austin
Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell, LLP PAC
Beth & Greg Looser, Houston
Hon. Alan M. Sager, Austin
Laura & Jeff Sandefer, Austin
Merrie Spaeth, Dallas
David M. Underwood, Houston
Hon. Tim D. Von Dohlen, Austin
Bulbul Gupta & Aman Verjee, Palo Alto, CA
Davy Crockett Frontiersmen ($1k to $2k)
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld PAC
Randy Altschuler, Lake Grove, NY
Charles E. Amato, San Antonio
Penny & Hon. Ernest Angelo, Midland
Jeff Boyd, Austin
Helen Cullen Austin & Jeff Austin, III, Tyler
Baker & Hostetler PAC
Ramona Bass, Fort Worth
Judy & David Beck, Houston
Elisabeth & Timothy D. Belton, Bellaire
Trey Blocker, Austin
Michele & John Boettiger, Houston
Dr. Daniel A. Bonevac, Austin
Dr. Steve Brown, Aledo
President George H.W. & Mrs. Barbara Bush, Houston
Marline & Jack Byrd, Midland
Jeffrey R. Chapman, Dallas
Janet & Ernest H. Cockrell, Houston
Vincent Colatriano, McLean, VA
Greg L. Coleman, Austin
Cristina & Stephen Cox, Washington, DC
Robin & Chris Dance, Dallas
John T. Delacourt, Dunn Loring, VA
Hon. Grant Dorfman, Houston
Vicky & Lucas T. Elliot, Houston
Monica & Charles R. Eskridge, Houston
Hon. José Cuevas, Midland
Austen H. Furse, Houston
David B. Garcia, Austin
Michele & Jim Grace, Houston
Frances & Evetts Haley, Jr., Midland
Daniel K. Hedges, Houston
Richard Jackson, Austin
Shawn Stephens & Jim Jordan, Houston
Hugh Rice Kelly, Houston
Roger A. Key, Lubbock
Thompson & Knight PAC
Amelia Bullock & Bill Krumpack, Austin
Jeffrey C. Kubin, Houston
Amy & James H. Lee, Houston
Los Elefantes del Condado de Cameron Partido Republicano, Harlingen
Jimmy Mansour, Austin
Richard W. Moncrief, Fort Worth
S. Reed Morian, Houston
Jay Nordlinger, New York, NY
Becky & Malcolm Morris, Houston
Porter & Hedges PAC
Dr. Ion Ratiu, Austin
Nina Rosenwald, NY
Kay & Jay Rutherford, Fort Worth
Pat R. Rutherford, Houston
Manuel A. Sanchez, Houston
Carson & Arthur Seeligson, Houston
Joseph Smith, Denver, CO
Katie & Patrick Starley, Austin
Jay Stewart, Austin
Venus & Bill Strawn, Austin
Pamela & Hugh Tanner, Houston
David Thompson, Vienna, VA
Carlos Treistman, Houston
Thomas O. Turner, Austin
Juan Seguin Patriots ($500 to $1k)
Kenneth E. Aboussie, Austin
Hon. Cathie & Homer Adams, Dallas
Lisa Helfman & John Adler, Houston
Amir Alavi, Houston
Shirley & A. K. Barton, Houston
Jessica & Jimmy Blacklock, Houston
Michael Bloom, Philadelphia, PA
Mary Ellen & Roger B. Borgelt, Austin
Kathy & George Britton, Houston
Hon. Penny & John R. Butler, Houston
Betsy & David Buttross, Austin
Dougal Cameron, Houston
Charles E. Cheever, San Antonio
Sean K. Coleman, Brooklyn, NY
Jordan W. Cowman, Dallas
Erin & Trey Cox, Dallas
Rhett Dawson, Austin
Scott Delacourt, Arlington, VA
David Dominy, Houston
Karey & Phillip Dye, Houston
Dr. Jerry Ellig, Falls Church, VA
Lesha & Tom Elsenbrook, Houston
Brian F. Feld, San Antonio
George Fibbe, Houston
Michael Fleischer, New Canaan, CT
Theodore Frank, Arlington, VA
Noel Fransisco, Washington, DC
Heather & Todd Furniss, Dallas
Darcy & Joseph Gagnon, Houston
Sharin & Scott Gaille, Houston
Sam & Barnett Gershen, Houston
Daniel Geyser, Austin
Nicole Goldstein, Chevy Chase, MD
Melinda Grace, Austin
James W. Gustafson, Houston
Joy Hardeman, Austin
Erica & Charles Harris, Houston
Timothy L. Hildenbrand, Castroville
Jon Jackson, Austin
Murray L. Johnston, San Antonio
Sam Kasparek, San Antonio
Angie King, Dallas
Hon. Becky Klein, Austin
Dr. Robert Koons, Austin
Michael Lynd, San Antonio
Steven P. Mach, Houston
Stephen Manz, Plano
Rosario & Hon. Rafael Marquez, Round Rock
Wallis Marsh, Houston
Karen & James Martin, Houston
Katie & Jack McConn, Houston
Connelly T. McGreevy, Houston
Bonnie & William F. Miller, Houston
Linda & Leandro Morales, Cypress
Melissa & Matthew Morris, Houston
Hon. Timothy Muris, Oakton, TX
Clark Neily, Arlington, VA
Ryan Newman, Arlington, VA
Jeff Oldham, Houston
James B. ONeill, New York, NY
Matthew Osterhaus, Houston
Lee Otis, Falls Church, VA
Joe Owen, Dallas
Jeanne & Rusty Parker, Austin
Royce Poinsett, Austin
Stephanie & Daniel Prescott, Dallas
Dr. George M. Rapier, San Antonio
Christina & Mark Rodriguez, Houston
Deborah Rosenfeld, Dallas
Sean Royall, Dallas
Reed Runnels, Dallas
Becca & Scott Schwinger, Houston
Mark Silver, Chicago, IL
Mary Jane Smith, Houston
Thomas S. Smith, Houston
Jeff Smithers, San Antonio
Gwyn & Don L. Sparks, Midland
Brantley Starr, Austin
Katie & Aaron Streett, Houston
Louis H. Stumberg, San Antonio
Elizabeth Tait, Austin
Mrs. Nicholas C. Taylor, Midland
Tad Tellepsen, Houston
Warren W. Tichenor, San Antonio
Joel Thollander, Austin
Gordon Todd, Alexandria, VA
Bette & Jack Vexler, San Antonio
Meg & Dathan Voelter, Austin
Michael Watson, Dallas
Stephen Wiesenfeld, Midland
Margaret Wilson, Austin
Jim. Windham, Houston
Jim P. Wise, Humble
Eva & Marvin Womack, Austin
Michael Youtt, Houston
Jim Bowie Brigade ($250 to $500)
Frank Atkinson, Ashland, VA
Mary Beth & George Barton, Midland
Thomas Beck, Falls Church, VA
Jennifer Bonar-Gray, Arlington, VA
Chad Boudreaux, Washington, DC
Shelby & Malachi Boyuls, Dallas
Michelle K. Brock, Midland
Dale A. Brown, Midland
Hon. Sam J. Chase, Abilene
Hon. Geoffrey S. Connor, Austin
Erin & Trey Cox, Dallas
Rafael B. Cruz, Carrollton
Stephen Dartt, Austin
Uttam Dhillon, Plano
Frank Eaton, Odessa
Ken Emanuelson, Dallas
Jacob Erlich, Nahant, MA
Ruben E. Esquivel, Desoto
Donald Fitzgibbons, Albany
Gwen & Dr. Davis Ford, Austin
Rinaldo J. Gonzalez, San Antonio
Kay & Lino A. Graglia, Austin
Martha & Mike Grimes, Houston
Michael Grodhaus, Dublin, OH
Alan Gura, Alexandria, VA
John Greytok, Austin
Linda Halpern, Austin
Erik Hawes, Houston
Tammy Herrin, Dallas
Meredith & Marshall Iler, Cypress
Ed Ingle, Vienna, VA
Eric Jaso, Morristown, NJ
Adam Johnson, Dallas
Bob Juba, Amarillo
Jane & Randy R. Jurgensmeyer, Dallas
Orin Kerr, Arlington, VA
Kelly McBeth Kerr, Austin
Hon. Jerry Kilgore, Glen Allen, VA
Manuel Klausner, Los Angeles, CA
Christopher Kratovil, Dallas
Robert Kruckemeyer, Houston
Steven Kupka, Washington, DC
Don Langston, Lufkin
Curt Levey, Washington, DC
Susan Lubin, Austin
Steven P. Mach, Houston
John Maclay, Houston
Sylivia & John Manley, Houston
Stephen A. Massad, Houston
Michael C. Massengale, Houston
R. Bruce McLain, Fort Worth
Mace Meeks, Houston
Lori Singer Meyer, McLean, VA
Barbara B. Moeller, Austin
Susan Moore, Austin
Lawrence Neuhoff, Dallas
Tobin Olson, San Antonio
Sandra Phillips, Houston
Maggie F. Radford, Dallas
Nicholas Rosenkranz, Washington, DC
Ilya Shapiro, Washington, DC
Hon. E. Ashley Smith, Houston
Dallas L. Smith, Midland
Luke Sobota, Washington, DC
Durk Suringa, McLean, VA
Shanna & Joel Tarver, Houston
Drew B. Tipton, Humble
Eugene Volokh, Pacific Palisades, CA
Michael Walton, Houston
Ann L. Witt, Houston
Ronald W. Woliver, Houston
Michael L. Woodward, Dripping Springs
Mirabeau Lamar Legends (Less than $250)
Cynthia & John Adkins, Houston
Robert Aguirre, San Antonio
Farha Ahmed, Houston
David Anderson, Dallas
George Antuna, Jr., San Antonio
Sandra & Hon. Nelson Balido, San Antonio
Suzanne Bellsnyder, Austin
Joanie & Ben Bentzin, Austin
Hague & Eric Bing
Amanda & George P. Bush, Austin
Hon. David Cabrales, Dallas
Quico Canseco, San Antonio
Joe Ed Cannon, Abilene
Hon. Al Cardenas, Miami, FL
Brian Carney, Midland
Winn Carter, Jr., Houston
Hon. Jacquie Chaumette, Sugarland
Jo Anne Christian, Austin
Greg Cizik, Houston
Hon. Doug Cole, Columbus, OH
Jessica Colón, Houston
Dan Corbett, San Antonio
Bob Craig, Lubbock
Jennifer & Patrick Davidson, San Antonio
Jeremy S. Davis, Houston
Lynn & Steve Davis, Austin
Paul Dickerson, Houston
Jeannine & Robin Donnelly, Midland
Allison & Beau Egert, Houston
Hon. Wade Emmert, Cedar Hill
Hon. Cynthia Figueroa, Dallas
Rob Finney, San Antonio
Charles Flournoy, Houston
Marjorie Winn Ford, Dallas
Charles Foster, Houston
Claudia Wilson Frost, Houston
Joe Fulwiler, Austin
Noe Garcia, Houston
Rich Garchar, Plano
Stephen Garrison, Dallas
Kaye & Gary Goolsby, Katy
Nancy Patterson & J. Bradley Green, Houston
Darren Grubb, New York, NY
Frank Guerra, San Antonio
Abel Guerra, Miami, FL
Clayton Hagerman, Houston
Stevan Hammond, Dallas
Will Hardeman, Austin
Bobby Holt, Midland
T. Scott Holstead, Houston
Karen & Gary Jones, Austin
Charles Kaplan, Dallas
Gena & Harrison Keller, Austin
Blair Labatt, San Antonio
Kathleen & Byron LeFlore, San Antonio
Dr. Jim Leininger, San Antonio
Cadell Liedtke, Midland
Leo Linbeck, Jr., Houston
Bibi & Marino Loyola, Lewisville
Joseph Manero, Houston
Vidal Martinez, Houston
Hon. José Montemayor, Austin
Jacob Monty, Houston
Walker Moody, Midland
Hon. Jerry Morales, Midland
Selden Morales, Washington, DC
Henry Musselman, Midland
Brian Newby, Fort Worth
Scott OGrady, Dallas
Jan & Joe ONeill, Midland
Matt Orwig, Dallas
Rolando Pablos, San Antonio
Candace & Michael Partridge, Austin
J.D. Pauerstein, San Antonio
Larry Peterson, El Paso
Margaret & James Purvis, Midland
Jaime Ramón, Dallas
Hon. Jack Rains, Houston
Jackie & Robert Rendall, Midland
Brian Roberts, Austin
Dr. Dale Robinowitz, Dallas
Tom Rodman, Midland
Hon. Richard Roman, El Paso
Raul Romero, Washington, DC
Harriet Romo, San Antonio
Dr. Craig Rosenfeld, Dallas
Jill & Rick Salwen, Austin
Monica & Marc Samuels, Austin
Hon. Orlando Sanchez, Houston
David Schenck, Dallas
Pablo Schneider, Dallas
John Schweitzer, Austin
Hon. Joey Seeber, Tyler
Dr. Daron Shaw, Austin
Pete Slover, Dripping Springs
Tom Smith, Frisco
Mary Smith, Denver, CO
Bertrand Sosa, Austin
Beth Sturgeon, Canadian
Glen Summers, Denver, CO
Rice M. Tilley, Jr., Fort Worth
Travis Thomas, Austin
Virginia & Walter Tomlinson, Houston
Hon. Michael Toner, Washington, DC
Linda Traylor, Austin
Tim Tuggey, San Antonio
Richard Vaughan, Houston
AnaPaula & Mark Watson, III, San Antonio
Ellen Witt, Austin
Justin Yancy, Austin
Al Zapanta, Dallas
Lee Zeiben, Houston