That gives him $1.5 million to spend on a race that is still two years away.
Staples also sent a letter Monday to Texas Comptroller Susan Combs asking her to clarify whether she plans to run for lieutenant governor. So far Combs has expressed interest in running, but has not committed to it. Combs has more than $6 million in her campaign coffers.
The current lieutenant governor, David Dewhurst, is a front-runner for the U.S. Senate and is expected to vacate the job next year if he wins.
Numerous republicans, including Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, are positioning themselves to replace Dewhurst should he leave for Washington.
