Texas couple contributes big bucks to Martinez campaign

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The campaign of Susana Martinez, a Republican running for governor in New Mexico, received a shot in the arm thanks to big contributions from from a Texas couple. Bob Perry, a Houston home builder, and his wife, Doylene donated a combined $450,000 to Martinez in the closing weeks of the primary race. The Perrys are known for their generous contributions to conservative causes. A campaign finance report filed by Martinez Friday reveals that the Perry donations accounted for 60 percent of the money raised by the candidate over the past three weeks:

The money helped Martinez finance a blitz of television and radio advertising as New Mexico's June 1 primary neared. She and former GOP chairman Allen Weh are front-runners in a five-way GOP gubernatorial contest, and the money from Perry came as Martinez and Weh exchanged hard-hitting attack ads.

Martinez raised $721,318 during the past three weeks and spent $711,513, with more than 60 percent of that going for TV and radio advertising.

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Perry supports Martinez because "he believes she is reformer with a strong voice who represents the future of the Republican Party."

The $450,000 from the Texas couple was the largest amount by individual donors to a gubernatorial candidate in recent New Mexico campaigns.

Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson received $300,000 from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the national union's New Mexico chapter in 2002. Richardson's 2002 and 2006 campaigns set records for raising the most money for a New Mexico gubernatorial race.

Sarah Palin endorsed Susana Martinez May 15th.