AUSTIN -- Gov. Greg Abbott raised more than $9 million in campaign cash for his reelection bid since July, giving him a record $43.3 million  in his bank account as he seeks a second four-year term next November.

That is the most on-hand money ever reported by a Texas statewide candidate.

In a report detailing fundraising between July 1 and Dec. 31, 2017, Abbott reported that his cash-on-hand is more than any other statewide candidate has ever amassed -- a signal to Democratic Party opponents of his fundraising strength.

His campaign said the fundraising haul confirms that most Texans agree with Abbott's positions that his message is resonating with Texans.

The additional $9 million, when added to the governor's previous fundraising tally of around $41 million, means that he raised as much as $50 million -- a whopping amount even in Texas politics.

Abbott's campaign said that amount his latest contributions, more than 53 percent came from first-time donors and 85 percent of all donors are Texas residents. Additionally, the campaign said it will report will report in a public filing due on Monday that that it received a donation from each of Texas' 254 counties.

"I am honored and grateful for the continued support of so many throughout this great state,"Abbott said in a statement. "2017 was a banner year for Texas as we added more jobs than any other state, reached the lowest unemployment rate in 40 years and ranked as the state with the best economic climate.

"There is more work to be done, and with the upcoming campaign in full swing, I will continue to promote ideas that will continue to elevate the Lone Star State to new heights."

Abbott's campaign said that, in all, more than 38,000 individual contributions resulted in $19.1 million raised by Governor Abbott, with more than 93 percent of those donations coming from within the state of Texas.

Additionally, the campaign saw a rise in new contributors in 2017, with 57 percent of all donations from first-time donors.

While Abbott's campaign and Republicans applauded the incumbent governor's record  campaign fundraising total, Democrats have insisted the total underscores how beholden Abbott is to Big Business and special interests who have contributed a large portion of the total.

In addition, Abbott has faced criticism for taking donations from Texans that he names to state boards and commissions.