With $27.6 million haul, Beto O’Rourke sets a new fundraising record in Texas politics

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke speaks at a rally for abortion rights in East Austin last month. O'Rourke may have set a new record for the amount of money a Texas politician raised in a single campaign finance reporting period. (Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune)

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto O’Rourke raised a staggering $27.6 million from late February through June, outraising Republican incumbent Greg Abbott and setting a new record for campaign fundraising in Texas.

O'Rourke's campaign announced the haul Friday morning, and Abbott's followed with the announcement that he raised $24.9 million over the same period. O'Rourke's $27.6 million is the most a candidate for state office in Texas has ever raised in a reporting period.