By KRWG News
Texas – Texas Gov. Rick Perry has raised nearly $103 million in campaign contributions from his first inauguration as governor in 2001 through 2010.
Almost half of that money has been given by 204 "mega-donors" of $100,000 or more, according to Texans for Public Justice.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports his biggest contributors include Houston homebuilder Bob Perry, who bankrolled the negative "Swift Boat" campaign against 2004 Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry.
Perry, who is not related to the governor, has given more than $2.5 million to Perry's campaigns since 2000. The only bigger source of campaign funds for Rick Perry has been the Republican Governors Association, which has given $4 million to the Texas Republican's gubernatorial campaigns.
Dallas billionaire Harold Simmons is the third-biggest giver with more than $1.1 million.
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Information from: Fort Worth Star-Telegram, http://www.star-telegram.com
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.