2010: The $9 Million Man

Democrat Bill White hit the mid-year mark with more than $9 million in the bank for his November challenge to Gov. Rick Perry. White raised $7.4 million since his last report, in February, bringing to $16.4 million the amount he's raised since joining the race in early December.

The exact (top-line) numbers: Cash on Hand: $9,045,425.60; raised this period: $7,447,799.33

If you had doubts, that foretells a well-financed governor's race on both sides; Perry's numbers aren't in yet (they're due by the end of business today), but he's expected to be well-financed, too.

White's campaign says more than 16,000 people have contributed so far, more than three-quarters of them giving $100 or less. The reports due today cover the period ending June 30. The next reports are due 30 days before the November elections.