The final numbers before Super Tuesday are live on our site! Before you vote, search HERE to see who’s funding your favorite –or least favorite — candidate and how he or she is spending their money.
Five fast facts from the latest reports:
- ActBlue Texas, a conduit PAC for Democrat candidates, has doled out more money than any other PAC in Texas for the 2020 elections. They’re also number two in collections, second only to Texans for Lawsuit Reform.
- There’s a new kid in the “Biggest Donors in Texas” club: Janet L. Duncan, Houston widow of billionaire oil man, Dan Duncan. She catapulted herself to the number two spot this election season with (among other donations) a $1.3 million donation to Texans for Lawsuit Reform (That’s primarily how TLR took the top spot for most collections by a PAC. See above).
- Democrat State Senator Eddie Lucio Jr. has received more contributions than any other state legislator this cycle with $1,166,152. Lucio has served in the Texas Senate since 2001 and is generally considered to be one of the most conservative Democrats in Austin. His pro-life and socially conservative positions have apparently rankled some constituents as he has drawn two young, progressive primary challengers from his left flank. Texans for Lawsuit Reform, which typically supports moderate to liberal Republicans, has given Lucio nearly a quarter of a million dollars in in-kind and direct donations this election season.
- Former Speakers of the Texas House Joe Straus and Dennis Bonnen may be gone (for now), but they’re ensuring they won’t be forgotten. Both have been busy making donations to favored candidates from their respective PACs — Texas Forever Forward by Straus and Texas Leads by Bonnen.
- State Rep. and Chair of the Homeland Security Committee Poncho “I dropped my cocaine” Nevarez took in no contributions after news broke of his misadventure. It makes sense that no one continued to fund his campaign in the aftermath, but it’s worth noting when the numbers confirm expectations. There’s certainly precedent for continuing to support a politician under fire.
Changes Coming!
Stay tuned next week as we make some big announcements about new features and changes coming at Transparency Texas! Prefer social? Find us on Twitter and Facebook.