AUSTIN (AP) - Federal election records show Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst lent his campaign for U.S. Senate nearly $1.2 million the day early voting began.

The May 14 personal contribution increases Dewhurst’s spending from his own pocket to about $13.2 million, though his campaign has paid back about $4 million of that.

Dewhurst is one of four major candidates seeking the GOP nomination for the seat of retiring Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

Also running are former Texas solicitor general Ted Cruz, ex-Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and Craig James, an ESPN personality and onetime football star.

Leppert has loaned his campaign about $3.6 million and Cruz has spent $70,000 of his own money. James gave his campaign $750,000 but reimbursed himself for all but about $300,000 of that.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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