Dewhurst Raises $1.66 Million

Dewhurst Raises $1.66 Million:
Texas Lt. Governor David Dewhurst raised $1.66 million during the first quarter of the year, his campaign told Hotline on Call on Wednesday. Dewhurst's impressive haul should increase his already considerable financial advantage in the race to replace retiring Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

The total does not include any personal contributions from Dewhurst, who has previously poured $2 million of his own money into his campaign. The campaign said it has not tallied its cash on hand sum.

Dewhurst's third straight impressive fundraising quarter shines the spotlight on former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and, especially, former state Solicitor Gen. Ted Cruz, neither of whom have released their first quarter numbers yet. Unlike Dewhurst and Leppert, Cruz does not have the ability to partially self-fund his bid.

Dewhurst is the frontrunner to capture the GOP nomination.