First it was just Ron Paul.
An obstetrician-gynecologist and libertarian-leaning Republican from Lake Jackson, Paul was elected to the U.S. House more than 20 years ago and maintains a devout following of those who share his anti-war, anti-tax, limited-government beliefs.Then he was joined by his son, Rand, a Republican ophthalmologist, who became a darling of the Tea Party movement and was elected last year to represent Kentucky in the U.S. Senate.Now a third Paul -- Robert, a doctor who runs a family medical practice in Benbrook and lives in Fort Worth -- is mulling a congressional bid of his own.After campaigning for his father, most notably giving speeches during the elder Paul's 2008 presidential bid, Robert Paul is considering whether to jump into the race to replace Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison when her term expires in January 2013."I have thought about running," Robert Paul, one of five children, told the Star-Telegram. "I am very happy as a physician, but [I] have a lot of concern about the debt."He hasn't started raising any money for a potential bid yet, although several other candidates have.Campaign finance reports for January to March aren't due to the Federal Election Commission until today, but former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert reports raising $1.1 million, former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz, more than $1 million, and former Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams of Arlington, more than $500,000."It will take millions and millions, really tens of millions, to capture a Texas Senate seat," said Larry Sabato, a political analyst and director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. "A million sounds like a lot to most of us, but it's barely the entry fee to make the race. Just a down payment."Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, a wealthy businessman who is considered the front-runner, has not committed to running for the post.He has said he will decide after the legislative session, telling an Austin TV station that he will decide "in June whether I'm going to run for the U.S. Senate in 2012 or ... run for governor in 2014."Staff writer Aman Batheja contributed to this report.Anna M. Tinsley, 817-390-7610A look at some U.S. Senate candidates and their finances:
Ted Cruz , former Texas solicitor general, announced that he has raised more than $1 million during the first quarter, logging more than 1,100 contributions from more than 900 people in 122 Texas cities and 37 states. Nearly three-fourths of his contributions were made online.
Michael Williams , who stepped down from the Railroad Commission on April 2 to run for the Senate, reported nearly $500,000 raised in the first quarter, and staffers say the campaign passed that mark in April. Williams has nearly $400,000 cash on hand. His staff said he has donors in all 50 states and some U.S. territories, although the bulk of his first quarter donations were raised in Texas.
Tom Leppert raised $1.1 million for his Senate bid during the first quarter, in addition to the $1.6 million he loaned his campaign. The former Dallas mayor has $2.6 million cash on hand.
Roger Williams of Fort Worth, who runs a car dealership in Weatherford and served as Texas secretary of state from 2005 to 2007, has reported raising more than a $1 million. His campaign hasn't released numbers yet but a spokesman said "it will be a strong showing."
Elizabeth Ames Jones has been on the Texas Railroad Commission since 2005 and previously served two terms in the Texas House. She hasn't released any fundraising numbers yet, and her campaign couldn't be reached for comment.
Lela Pittenger , a sales manager from Dripping Springs and mother of a 3-month-old son, started raising money for her campaign in recent weeks but hasn't released any totals.
Glenn Addison of Magnolia, who owns two funeral homes and cemeteries, has raised about $20,000 from about 50 donors. He and his wife also contributed about $6,000 to the campaign. He now has about $7,900 on hand.
Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
