Big Money For Mayor Bill White

He’s been travelling around the state, getting to know voters while  campaigning for the U.S. Senate. 

Houston Mayor Bill White is apparently impressing enough people who are willing to open their checkbooks and contribute to his campaign.

The date of the election depends on when, or if, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison steps down to challenge Governor Rick Perry in the 2010 GOP March Primary.

Below is a copy of a news release that his campaign proudly sent to the media:

HOUSTON, TEXAS — To date, more than 5,000 supporters have contributed more than $6 million to Houston Mayor Bill White’s campaign since he announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate in December.

The contributions for the filing period ending Sept. 30 totaled more than $1.5 million. In the last week of the quarter alone, supporters contributed $400,000, about half through the internet. The candidate pledged to match contributions during that week.

As of the second quarter filing period, the Bill White for Texas team had raised more dollars from more people than all other Senate candidates combined. With nearly 2000 first-time contributors, the third quarter filing period attracted significantly more new contributors to the campaign than any other quarter.

“With each report, it becomes increasingly clear that Texans across the state trust Bill White to be their voice in the U.S. Senate,” said Campaign Finance Chair Scott Atlas. “Bill is the right leader to move our state forward and protect the future of our children and grandchildren.”

“Getting funds early on is critical to the success of a statewide campaign,” Field Director J.D. Gins said. “I’m particularly proud that 5000 people have given their hard-earned cash to help elect Bill White, and even more have volunteered. Texans are serious about electing someone who will fight for them in Washington.”

The son of San Antonio school teachers, White helped build a law firm and managed a successful business before being elected Houston’s mayor in 2003. Since then, he’s been re-elected twice with 86% and 91% of the vote. During White’s administration, Houston led the nation’s cities in job growth, adding more jobs than sixteen states combined. At the same time, he cut property taxes five years in a row and helped seniors with tax relief. White also started a special initiative that gives returning veterans the welcome they deserve with coordinated social services, reductions in red tape, and employment opportunities. After Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Ike, Bill White mobilized an effective disaster response including first responders, businesses and churches. For the compassionate, hands-on leadership after Katrina, White received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2007. Previously, he served as Deputy Secretary of Energy of the United States.