Governor's race remains close and the money is coming in

The Bill White campaign just announced how much the Democratic gubernatorial candidate raised until June 30 and the amount, along with the latest poll, show that the race for Texas governor is as tight as political observers have been predicting.

Since Dec. 4, when White declared his candidacy, he has raised $16.4 million and after all expenses the former Houston mayor still has more than $9 million left, according to campaign spokeswoman Katy Bacon. The re-election campaign of Gov. Rick Perry has not announced how much the 10-year incumbent raised during the first half of this year.

The mid-year reports to the Texas Ethics Commission are due by no later than mid-night.

The White campaign contributions report came shortly after the latest Rasmussen Poll showed Perry leading White 50 to 41 percent. However, another poll last week showed the two candidates tied at 43 percent.

In all, White is doing much better than Perry's previous Democratic opponents, former Houston Congressman Chris Bell in 2006 and Laredo oilman Tony Sanchez in 2002. Bell had trouble raising money and though Sanchez spent more than $70 million, mostly his own money, he always trailed Perry in the polls.

However, even in a close race Perry is favored to win. One, because he is the incumbent; two because Texas is one of the reddest states in the nation; and three because in the Lone Star State, Republicans usually raise more money than Democrats.

But with the election still three and a half months away, anything can happen between now and Nov. 2. The Democrats certainly feel good about their chances.