Texas Democratic businessman Jack McDonald is touting a fast early start in fundraising as he readies his 2010 campaign against Republican Rep. Michael McCaul in the 10th District in and around Austin.

McDonald’s campaign announced Wednesday that it had raised nearly $309,000 since it organized an “exploratory” campaign with the Federal Election Commission about five weeks ago.

McDonald, who heads an information technology firm and is a vice chairman of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, attributed his early fundraising success to “the set of issues that we’re talking about.”

“What we’re hearing out there from people is that they want folks in Washington that have real world experience,” McDonald said. “Our economy is in crisis right now and we face long-term economic challenges.”