Republican State Representative Candidate Stefani Carter raises nearly $200,000 in the first half of 2010, making her one of the top three GOP challengers in Texas. The other two top GOP fundraisers were Austin-area candidates whose numbers were bolstered by runoff elections in April.

Carter’s fundraising total nearly matched her opponent, Democratic incumbent Carol Kent. Carter and Kent are running in the historically Republican Texas House District 102.

“I am proud to have fought and won a tough primary while still nearly matching my Democratic opponent dollar for dollar,” said Carter. “This puts my campaign exactly where it needs to be as we head toward Election Day."

“This shows that our message of lower taxes and job creation is resonating and that voters are tired of having a Representative who has never met a tax increase -- both on individuals and small businesses -- she didn’t like.”

Texas House District 102 is in Dallas County. District 102 has been a dependable Republican District but elected Kent in a 2008 squeaker on the coattails of a narrow Obama win in the district.

For 2010 Carter has already raised $188,818, putting her near the top of all State Representative candidates in the State.

Stefani Carter was born in District 102. She earned her law degree at Harvard School of Law before returning to be criminal prosecutor in North Texas. She later went into private practice.