Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. A PUC spokesman instead sent the following statement: Dillon, responding on Chairman Walkers behalf as shes still fully engaged in issues related to the winter storm related grid event. For his part, Patrick has been pushing the states politics to the rightsince his days as a talk radio host in Houston. Abbott raises $19 million, Beto O'Rourke's fast start nets $7.2 million in race for governor. July 19, 2022 According to its website, OPUC represents the interests of residential and small commercial consumers, as a class, in utility proceedings in Texas. The top donor, Greg Abbott, represents reported contributions received by Gov. Ballotpedia is the digital encyclopedia of American politics and elections. corporations and unions can give directly to campaigns in many jurisdictions. Walker, the chair of the Public Utility Commission of Texas and a former senior policy advisor to Abbott, contributed $7,620 to Texans for Greg Abbott from 2009 to 2015, state campaign records show. State requirements related to itemization thresholds and employment But Luthers star appears to have dimmed after she lost a special election for state Senate last month. In addition, Abbott has received donations from deep-pocketed donors in the real estate industry like Edward Roski Jr., president of Majestic Realty in California, who gave $1.5 million, as well as three donations of $1 million each from supporters in finance and casinos. Texas elected officials cant receive campaign donations during the session, but after it ended in May, they were showered in cash by the energy industry even more than usual for a group known for its deep pockets and generous campaign giving. Earlier, he was a statehouse reporter for three newspapers, including the Dallas Times Herald. Greg Abbott campaign promises 'knock-out, drag-out fight' in race against Beto O'Rourke, according to January campaign finance reports, Governor's race tightens as Greg Abbott's lead over Beto O'Rourke shrinks to 6 points, poll finds, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. With this tracker, The Express-News is providing continuously updated information on political contributions for the Nov. 8, 2022, elections, along with lists of top donors by name and by industry for statewide candidates for governor, attorney general, and lieutenant governor. However, his $7.7 million haul in the first half of 2020 was a nearly 12% decrease from the same phase of his initial term. This means that overall, Abbotts Texas donors gave more than ORourkes Texas donors. George W. Bush was heavily funded by his familys well-established energy network, his successor, former Gov. in the DFW area that need your help or can provide help during The data presented here is sourced from the Texas Ethics Commission, which displays campaign finance filings from candidate committees. The state of Texas imposes no limits on how much money you can give to your local representative, your senator, your governor, said Wheat. Since the beginning of last year, Abbotts campaign has raised about $5.5 million from at least 17 billionaires and 3 spouses of billionaires. requested and disclosed, if provided. Bob has covered state government and politics for The Dallas Morning News since 2002. Thanks to our generous supporters, our campaign helped secure Republican victories across the state of Texas this election cycle, he said. Texas Gov. Abbott to rake in $1 million checks from individual donors. That amount is up from 12% of his contributions. While summary numbers are reported almost immediately by the Texas Gov. contributions from corporate PACs, employees and owners as well as their immediate families. With Democrat Joe Biden about to move into the White House and national Republicans in disarray over President Donald Trumps norm-shattering behavior in recent weeks, a big bankroll is about the only certainty Abbott can rely on. And talk of a primary challenge from Lt. Gov. But the bill didnt set a hard deadline for when the upgrades need to be complete and it stopped short of detailing how the state would enforce and incentivize the process called weatherization. The remaining figures - based on detailed contribution data - are updated by OpenSecrets Warren's company Energy Transfer declined to comment on his behalf. There will be one last update in January with final fundraising numbers for the 2022 midterms. Democrats have not won a statewide office in three decades, but incumbent Republican Ken Paxton is deemed vulnerable because of his2015 felony indictment for securities fraudand unrelated accusations of corruption that his top aides took to the FBIin late 2020. Texas doesnt limit political giving, with no caps on individual contributions for candidates for state office. Paddie has received thousands in contributions from these entities in election years, but never this amount immediately after a legislative session. The money came from159,000 total contributions with an average contribution of roughly $119, his campaign said Tuesday. These are the latest numbers ahead of Election Day. Corporations themselves cannot donate to candidates at the federal level but federal candidates can get contributions from corporate PACs, employees and owners as well as their immediate families. Abbott raised more in smaller cities and rural areas. Other ERCOT board members are listed in TEC records as having contributed to several energy-related PACs. employer. Greg Abbott raised almost $25 million during the same period, according to Friday press releases from both of the campaigns. The twisted roots between the oil and gas industry and Texas lawmakers is almost as old as the Capitol building itself, said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. Nearly half (45%) of the 1,200 Texas voters who participated in the poll indicated support for Abbott while 39% showed support for O'Rourke. Open Secrets following the money in politics, OpenSecrets Following the money in politics, Why (and How) We Use Donors' Employer/Occupation Information, Organization unavailable for these records. sectors) can be seen in each candidate and race profile, and in the Industry Profile section of the OpenSecrets The two-term governor is one of the most prolific GOP fundraisers in the country and had previously reported raising more than $30 million through the first half of the year and said Tuesday his campaign has now raised $95 million during the current election cycle from more than 418,000 contributors. More:Governor's race tightens as Greg Abbott's lead over Beto O'Rourke shrinks to 6 points, poll finds. 20005. Greg Abbott attacks Beto O'Rourke without mentioning him by name, $2 million raised during the first 24 hours, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Show us with your support. In Texas, Gov. ORourke, who only launched his campaign for governor in November last year, has raised just $61,000 from at least 2 billionaires and 3 spouses of billionaires. Through Nov. 30, even with federal fundraising constraints, Crenshaw in the last two-year cycle raised a whopping $19 million. If you need help with the Public File, call 210-351-1241. How has the candidates fundraising compared over time? For that Visit us at Ballotpedia.org, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. and formats. Knowing those groups is also Of all the statewide elections in Texas, the attorney generals race is expected to be the most competitive. About 26% of Patricks contributions in June came from energy interests, more than $1.3 million, his most ever in the post-session stretch. According to the most recent campaign finance reports made to the Texas Ethics Commission, the governor received $44,778,653 in total contributions and spent $37,930,300 between January 1, 2021 and February 19, 2022. Data for Texas Ethics Commission records, however, show that three of the 13 representatives on the House Committee on State Affairs have accepted contributions from ERCOT board member Clifton Karnei. Patrick, 70, has insisted he wants to stay where he is. Speaking of donations he received from Texans in all 254 counties, Abbott said that with such help we will continue to spread the messages of freedom and liberty to every corner of the Lone Star State.. Dave Carney, Abbotts political strategist, said the governor is unperturbed by the volatile national political environment. While (Gov. AUSTIN Since a deadly winter storm hit Texas earlier this month Governor Greg Abbott has repeatedly heaped criticism on ERCOT, the operator of the states electric grid, claiming the entity was woefully unprepared for the dangerous weather that has killed a still-untold number of people. During the same stretch after the two subsequent . Oil and gas taxes now boost the state budget. This gives us time to analyze the contributions and categorize them by industry and Second, we standardize the name of the donor's employer. contributor provides it. But to build a better future for every Texan, I need your help. Those donations have added up, bringing in about $9.7 million for Abbott and $37.8 million for ORourke. Carney, the Abbott adviser, dismissed talk that ORourke could pose a threat. Aug. 4, 20215 AM Central. Abbott is tending to home state business, he noted. The storm, as bad as it was, helped him on his bottom line for contributions.. He covers Gov. Of the $44.8 million already reported in the 2022 election cycle, 21.9 percent came from the top 10 donors. Democratic gubernatorial challenger Beto O'Rourke raised $27.3 million from Feb. 20 to June 30, while Republican Gov. Greg Abbott (R), who easily won the primary with more than 66% of the vote, is by far the largest beneficiary of the industry's political giving. State Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, who led much of the upper chambers response to the storm that left millions of Texans without electricity for days in subfreezing temperatures, also got a boost in funding. Texas is already guaranteed record-setting spendingfor a governor's race this year, and the numbers keep climbing. Still, ORourke does have a few of his own billionaire supporters. Kolten Parker, Digital Executive Producer. In cases where two or more people from the same family contributed, the income-earner's occupation/employer is According to June polls from the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas, 4 in 5 respondents support background checks on all gun purchases, and just 15% support an abortion ban. ORourke received $2.2 million from Austin couple Simone Coxe, who has worked in communications, and Tench Coxe, a former venture capitalist. Dozens of donations in quantities like $100,000, $50,000, and $25,000 and page after page of $10,000 donations poured in over the course of the election cycle from individuals and PACs alike. Since then, ORourke received four major fundraising bumps: one right after the primary election; one after he confronted Abbott at a press conference following the school shooting in Uvalde in late May; one after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe vs. Wade in late June; and one at the end of September, a couple of weeks ahead of the voter registration deadline. Fixing Texas power grid was about the only thing Republicans and Democrats in the legislative session seemed to agree on earlier this year. This is a BETA experience. "The nearly 113,000 contributions illustrates that Gov. How many donations came from within Texas? You may opt-out by, Source of wealth: Houston Rockets, entertainment, Source of wealth: Computer services, real estate, Source of wealth: Hyatt hotels, investments. Cobos salary is $143,000. Rick Perry and Democrat Tony Sanchez spent in 2002 and the combined $90 million Abbott and Democrat Wendy Davis spent in 2014. interest group. Leading up to Abbotts decision, Lt. Gov. Greg Abbott - Governor of Texas "In Texas, anything is possible. Heres how they compare. At a time when newsroom resources and revenue across the country are declining, The Texas Tribune remains committed to sustaining our mission: creating a more engaged and informed Texas with every story we cover, every event we convene and every newsletter we send. Greg Abbott, gives an update on an investigation into the massacre in Uvalde, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. Do you value our journalism? At a time when newsroom resources and revenue across the country are declining, The Texas Tribune remains committed to sustaining our mission: creating a more engaged and informed Texas with every story we cover, every event we convene and every newsletter we send. About 26% of Patrick's contributions in June came from energy interests, more than $1.3 million, his most ever in the post-session stretch. The Stockyards Station Hotel, recently acquired by Roskis Majestic Realty, donated over $382,000 in event expenses while HillCo PAC, an Austin lobbyist firm, donated a total of $336,000. Im grateful for everyone who helped raise $25.18 million in just three months as we support the work of our organizers and record-breaking 100,000 volunteers, said ORourke. Greg Abbott said his campaign raised nearly $19 million in the last six months of 2021, a total that brought his campaign war chest to a staggering $65 million in December. Not long after, Abbott released a list of issues lawmakers needed to address in July during a special-called legislative session. Greg Abbott. Breaking down the contributions by ZIP code in Texas, ORourke received more money from donors in major cities, which are Democratic strongholds. Among elected officials holding the same level of state office, fundraising varies widely. His chemical logistics company serves the oil and gas industry, among others. The PUC has largely avoided blame for last weeks power issues, so far, despite providing oversight to ERCOT. Dan Patrick and Attorney General Ken Paxton underscored how the gambling industry continues to covet a huge market now beyond its reach Texas, the . (An Abbott spokesman did not release the campaigns report for the second half of 2020, which is due at the Texas Ethics Commission on Friday.). Greg Abbott, who is heading into a re-election year. Energy officials have repeatedly said that the states natural gas supply was also hindered by the storm, in large part because energy plants did not have properly winterized equipment. Its the same people talking to the same people and you wonder if the people being left out are the average Texans, said Wheat. Warrens Energy Transfer cofounder Ray Davis gave $125,000 to Abbott. Texas Gov. A spokesperson for Abbott told the Defenders via email, Governor Abbott has made the reform of ERCOT an emergency item and has assured the public we will not leave this session without reforming the entity.. As Gov. Patrick is in the middle of a131-stop bus tour across Texas, while Collier continues totout his alliances with moderateRepublicans who are endorsing him over the incumbent. That is why Congress and many states have mandated that candidates, political Greg Abbott's 2022 reelection campaign is reporting contributions of 19-million-dollars in the last nine days of June. AUSTIN Heading into the 2022 campaign season, Gov. The tour, which starts in O'Rourke's hometown of El Paso has scheduled 70 public events in 65 counties, including in many areas that historically have preferred Republican candidates. His largest billionaire donor so far is Margot Birmingham Perot, the widow of former presidential candidate H. Ross Perot Sr. Shes given $25,000 to ORourkes campaign since November. Warren's donation is . The lag times vary for state officeholder data. As Texas voters go to the polls next week, it is clear which candidate billionaires are backing in the . Dan Patrick, she lost a special election for state Senate last month, Greg Abbott confronts coronavirus as stronger governor than Texas had 50 years ago, even with federal fundraising constraints, Crenshaw in the last two-year cycle raised a whopping $19 million, Dark alley no more: This time, Texas Republicans were ready for the Democrats, Pandemic. Cobos was appointed chief executive and public counsel of the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC) by Abbott in March 2019, three months after donating $1,050 to Abbotts campaign, state contribution records show. "As we move into the heat of the summer campaign, were well positioned to fund all our campaign efforts, Texans for Greg Abbott Campaign Chairman Gardner Pate said in the Friday release. From June 21 to June 30, after the legislative fundraising blackout ended, five of the largest and most prominent companies in the Texas power grid supply chain Calpine, Centerpoint, NRG Energy, Oncor and Vistra or their top executives collectively donated about $497,000 to state elected officials and political groups. Last year, Abbott wouldve raised more if hed been able to hold in-person fundraisers and hadnt been busy as chairman of the Republican Governors Association, Carney said. Making a million-dollar political donation to reward the government for its light touch and encourage the government to continue turning a blind eye to price gouging and windfall profits while hundreds of people die seems like a good return on investment., Making a million-dollar political donation to reward the government for its light touch and encourage the government to continue turning a blind eye to price gouging and windfall profits while hundreds of people die seems like a good return on investment.. The warnings led to renewed calls for the Legislature to take more urgent action to fix the power grid. He loves being lieutenant governor and is not running against Gov. Other billionaires with major oil and gas interests who are backing Abbott include Nancy Kinder, the wife of Kinder Morgan cofounder Richard Kinder; Hilcorp cofounder Jeff Hildebrand; Chief Oil & Gas founder Trevor Rees-Jones; Hunt Oil heir Ray Lee Hunt and Western Refining founder Paul Foster, who Abbott appointed to run the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission in April last year. The Abbott campaign is eyeing aggressive advertising strategies ahead of the November election. Absent that storm, his contributions would have been different, said Bill Miller, a longtime Texas political consultant and lobbyist. American Airlines, flight attendants file for mediation during contract negotiations, New Uptown office tower lands second major lease, Years after North Texas bid for Amazons second headquarters, retail giant halts plan, Mesquite to become the site of new 2,500-home community, North Texas builders see influx of activity in new year, but challenges persist, Mark Wahlberg pours tequila for fans at Dallas restaurant during thunderstorm, Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving tandem clicks with joint 40-point displays in Mavs win vs. 76ers, Dallas Cowboys focused on adding another dynamic offensive weapon, Ex-Cowboys OC Kellen Moore opens up on Dallas departure, shows gratitude for Mike McCarthy, The Cowboys are closer than you think to a total makeover at running back, 12 Dallas-Fort Worth restaurants that have closed in 2023. Walker, a non-voting member of ERCOTs board, did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. A large chunk of that cash was driven by Oncor, Texas largest transmission and distribution electric company, with many big donations coming from the company's executives. Democrat Beto O'Rourke announced he's running for governor of Texas and says he'll move past divisive politics and bring the state together. Im grateful for everyone who helped us raise $27.63 million in just over four months as we support the powerful work of our organizers and more than 78,000 volunteers, O'Rourke said in the release. Greg Abbott speaks during a campaign event on February 23 in Houston. All told, the candidates together have raised a combined $147 million, have spent almost $196 million and have a combined total of almost $8 million in their campaign coffers. with that same employer, the organization's name winds up on the Top Contributors list. disclosures vary. The O'Rourke campaign has not yet released how much cash on hand it has. Gregory Wayne Abbott (born November 13, 1957) is an American politician, attorney, and former jurist serving as the 48th governor of Texas since 2015. the Coronavirus crisis. He said the latest contributions of $25 million came from nearly 475,000 donors, making the average contribution $53. voters, researchers and others. Rep. Chris Paddie, chair of the state affairs committee, also did not respond to calls and an email seeking comment. Still, University of North Texas political scientist Matthew Eshbaugh-Soha said Abbotts $38 million will scare off most of the competition.. Connect with needs and opportunities from. He is an amateur triathlete, enjoys playing and watching soccer, traveling and hanging out with his wife. But that wasnt always the case: In June 2021, Abbott had a campaign balance of over $55 million, and Abbott has spent almost twice as much money as his opponent, including a June ad buy worth nearly $20 million. Other lawmakers who saw some of the largest spikes in funding from the energy industry were those who authored the power grid legislation and chaired the committees that heard the bills. The comments came during an appearance on Fox News. Abbott's campaign stressed that since the start of 2021, the two-term Republican incumbent "has raised nearly $95 million from more than 418,000 donations." Since O'Rourke announced his. Slawson and Shaheen each received $150 last year, records show. That's more than twice the $207,000 they gave during the same period when the legislative session ended in in 2019, according to a Texas Tribune analysis. Dan Patrick, who has differences with Abbott, has never completely died out. I wouldnt count him out., Last fall, Abbott gave money and shared his campaigns detailed voter information database with GOP hopefuls in several of the key Texas House contests. Hes running for reelection in 2022, said Patrick spokeswoman Sherry Sylvester. These generous contributions from people all across Texas show just how excited Texans are for this campaign, Abbott said in a statement. Dan Patrick pressured Abbott in public statements that issues related to the grid needed to be on the agenda. OpenSecrets A 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization 1100 13th Street, NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 857-0044 INFO: info@crp.org State or federal law may require filers to submit additional reports. After the Defenders reached out to Cobos seeking comment Tuesday, Jon Oliver, an OPUC spokesperson, called back and said he was unaware of any campaign contributions made to Abbott. 2023 www.statesman.com. Abbott had $55 million saved up for his reelection campaign at the end of June. Critics said this and other storm response bills spearheaded by these lawmakers also failed to provide direct assistance to people harmed by Februarys power crisis or to help Texans reduce electricity use to take pressure off the grid during extreme weather. Abbott's support comes from a wide variety of Texans all across the Lone Star State." O'Rourke's haul came from 511,000 donors, with. Texans for Public Justice released this week, A bill proposed by San Antonio Republican state Rep. Lyle Larson in 2017. All other numbers in these Polling data suggests a large percentage of voters might agree with O'Rourke on increasing abortion access and gun reform. Board member Mark Carpenter, a senior vice president with Dallas-based Oncor Electric Delivery, has contributed $10,000 to Texans for Greg Abbott, Abbotts campaign war chest, since October 2018. Texas Gov. Dan Patrick, after coming within 5 percentage points of the incumbent in 2018. Loans are included in most of the elements, except for the top donor tables. Greg Abbott, who is heading into a reelection year in 2022, benefited most from the flood of June campaign donations from the energy industry.