Dallas-Fort Worth donors tilt toward Hutchison

In her bid to unseat Rick Perry, Kay Bailey Hutchison has built a financial beachhead in Dallas, taking in nearly 40 percent of her contributions from her hometown in the last half of 2009.

Hutchison raised more than $2.2 million from the city, according to her latest campaign finance report. And she tapped some big names in Big D – Ross Perot and his son have given a combined $160,000. Real estate investor Harlan Crow has added $60,000. Also helping Hutchison: philanthropist Peter O’Donnell, airline entrepreneur Herb Kelleher and Dallas Cowboys legend Roger Staubach.

All told, nearly half of Hutchison’s money came from the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The money roughly reflects what could be a split in strength when Perry and Hutchison face off in the March 2 Republican primary. Perry, the incumbent who has been in charge of state government for nine years, led Hutchison almost 4-to-1 in Austin, where most of his support has come from lobbyists and interest groups with business before the state. And he has outraised her in Houston.

Hutchison spokeswoman Jen Baker said the senator’s fundraising totals reflect widespread backing by voters and donors.

“Kay enjoys broad support across Texas both with the grass-roots and campaign contributors,” Baker said. “People are ready for new leadership in Austin.”

Perry spokesman Mark Miner said Hutchison’s dependence on Dallas reflects a problem appealing to voters across Texas.

“Just like her campaign, the senator doesn’t have very much support from around the state,” he said. “The governor is proud of the support he’s received from all over.”

The candidates are expected to spend roughly $25 million each in their quest for the GOP nomination and millions more if there is a runoff.

Perry raised $7.1 million in the last six months of 2009, and Hutchison collected $6.1 million. As they enter the final stretch of the primary showdown, Hutchison has slightly more money in the bank.

A computer-assisted review of the latest campaign finance reports, which includes contributions in the last six months, found the following:

•Although Perry has targeted Hutchison as part of Washington, he collected more money from D.C. than the senator did. Contributors inside the Beltway gave the governor $37,500, half of that from tobacco interests. Hutchison collected $19,900 from Washington, including railroad and airline interests.

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