White's OK for Cash

Mayor White: In the black (Image courtesy of Bill White for Texas campaign)

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison may not act like she's leaving DC, but the Senate campaign goes on without her. The Sept. 30 campaign finance reports are in, and beyond the headline news that Democratic hopeful Mayor Bill White of Houston hammered everyone in every category, there are some interesting details.

First up, when did Railroad Commissioner become a fast(ish) track to DC? Former commissioner and Democratic hopeful John Sharp may be losing the money fight to White, but he's comfortably ahead of GOPers Michael Williams and Elizabeth Ames Jones. Well, sorta. Sharp raised a total of $3.8 million, but only $641,000 came from individual donors: The bulk of the rest ($3,116,882) is candidate loans. Williams only loaned himself $150,000, but only got $464,000 in donations, meaning Jones out-raised him in cash from individuals with $609,000.

Quick breakout of the Senate race numbers:

Top six overall fundraisers
Bill White (D) $5,285,464
John Sharp (D) $3,789,459
Roger Williams (R) $1,206,383
Michael Williams (R) $623,667
Elizabeth Ames Jones (R) $614,446
Florence Shapiro (R) $488,900

Top six spenders
Bill White (D) $1,855,768
Michael Williams (R) $623,667
Roger Williams (R) $505,405
John Sharp (D) $435,158
Florence Shapiro (R) $308,763
Elizabeth Ames Jones (R) $229,054

Top six war chests
Bill White (D) $4,182,372
John Sharp (D) $3,354,301
Roger Williams (R) $862,892
Florence Shapiro (R) $555,693
Elizabeth Ames Jones (R) $530,514
Michael Williams (R) $118,261

Technically, the number four Senate fundraiser and spender is Republican Sen. John Cornyn: His campaign brought in $861,908, spent $470,024, and he’s still sitting on a $752,110 war chest. That may be a sign of sorts for former secretary of state and top GOP fundraiser in this race, Roger Williams. He was Cornyn's finance chair in 2002. After his debt is deducted, he has less cash on hand than a man not up for re-election until 2012.