AUSTIN — Sen. John Cornyn still enjoys a commanding money edge over challenger Rick Noriega – and may have increased it.

The Cornyn re-election campaign said Friday it raised nearly $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2008, which ended Tuesday.

Campaign manager Rob Jesmer said the freshman Republican has $7.2 million in cash for the stretch drive to the Nov. 4 election.

"Fundraising is about more than dollars and cents and the ability to run television ads," he said. "It is also a measure of enthusiasm and support for a candidate. Sen. Cornyn considers himself very fortunate to have a lot of both, especially from Texans."

Mr. Noriega, a Democratic state lawmaker from Houston, raised more than $1 million between July 1 and Sept. 30, said spokesman Martine Apodaca. He said totals aren't yet available.

"It's the most we've ever raised in a single quarter," he said.

Both candidates have until Oct. 15 to file federal reports detailing who contributed the money.

As of June 30, Mr. Noriega had about $916,000 cash.

In an email to supporters, Noriega campaign manager Mark Bell cited New York Sen. Hillary Clinton's Thursday endorsement of Mr. Noriega and an automated poll this week that showed the race has tightened.

Both "are great news, but we need your help to keep up our momentum," Mr. Bell said.