Perry Files Federal Campaign Finance Report

Gov. Rick Perry today submitted his third quarter campaign finance report to the Federal Election Commission, reporting that his PAC, RickPerry.org Inc, raised $17 million from August 1 to September 30. The campaign spent $2 million, leaving Perry with $15 million on hand.

Of the $17 million, $16.3 million was reported as itemized, meaning that almost all of Perry's contributions came from donors who gave between $200 and $2,500. The FEC requires candidates and PACs to submit an itemized list of all contributions larger than $200. Under federal regulations, an individual can give only give up to $2,500, a big differerence from Texas law, which has no such limits.

With the filing deadline at midnight tonight, Perry is not the only candidate to submit a report this morning. U.S. Rep Ron Paul's PAC, Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee Inc., reported it raised $8 million this quarter and spent $7.5 million, leaving Paul with $3.6 million on hand. Herman Cain raised $2.8 million and spent $1.9 million, leaving him with $1.3 million. Jon Huntsman reported $4.5 million raised, $4.1 million spent and $320,000 on hand.

The other high-dollar fundraiser in the presidental race, Mitt Romney, has an overall cash flow advantage on Perry because he got started earlier. He began the quarter with $12.7 million on hand. But at $14.2 million received, he raised less than Perry in the third quarter. Romney spent $12 million in the third quarter on operating expenditures.

Next week, the FEC will release workable data from the itemized contributions and expenditures of all the candidates, so keep an eye out for a Tribune follow-up. The table below shows the numbers for all candidates who have filed so far, and it will be updated as more information comes in.