Businessman Bill Flores (R) has given more than $300,000 to his House campaign in the 17th district, where Rep. Chet Edwards (D) is seeking re-election.

Flores’ personal donations, which included a $250,000 loan and about $54,000 in contributions and in-kind payments, accounted for most of the $416,000 that he reported raising through the end of last month, according to his campaign’s filing with the Federal Election Commission.

Flores, who announced his candidacy in mid-December, also raised $112,000 from individual donors in the final days of 2009 and received a $1,000 donation from the political action committee of Texas-based Blue Bell Creameries. Flores’ campaign spent about $47,000 and began this month with $370,000 in the bank.

The National Republican Congressional Committee has promoted Flores in a five-candidate March 2 Republican primary that also includes 2008 nominee Rob Curnock; Timothy Delasandro, a registered nurse; Dave McIntyre, an educator; and Chuck Wilson, who works in real estate.

Flores’ campaign also announced Tuesday that he signed a pledge from the conservative Club for Growth to vote to repeal a Democratic-written health care bill if it becomes law.

Edwards, whose district includes Waco, College Station and Bryan, will file an updated campaign report by Jan. 31. According to its most recent report, his campaign had $1.1 million in cash on hand on Sept. 30.