Breaking-News, Campaign Finance
07/07/2020

Abbott, Realtors, TLR Among Top Runoff Contributors

TXElects

Runoff reports were due yesterday (Monday) for state candidates on the July 14 primary runoff ballot. Candidates in the SD14 special election were required to file 8-day-out reports. These runoff reports disclose contributions received and expenditures made between February 23 and July 4.

The largest contributors to multiple legislative and statewide candidates for the period were Texans for Lawsuit Reform (at least $438K), Texas Assoc. of Realtors TREPAC ($288K among those itemized below), Associated Republicans of Texas PAC (at least $191K) and Gov. Greg Abbott’s Campaign (at least $125K). Cisco businessman Farris Wilks gave $425K to a single campaign, and Border Health PAC gave $150K to Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr.’s campaign.

Runoff candidates collectively raised $4.7M, led by Lucio’s $1.1M and Jon Francis’s $577K, and spent $4.2M during the period.

SD14 special: Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Austin) out-raised former Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt, $306K to $79K, and outspent her, $466K to $148K. Former Austin council member Don Zimmerman, one of two Republicans in the race, raised $6K and spend $9K. He was out-raised by Libertarian candidate Pat Dixon ($8K).

SD19: Xochil Peña Rodriguez out-raised Rep. Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio), $65K to $27K, and outpent him, $147K to $99K, for the period. She also increased her loan principal by $155K. Rodriguez’s largest contributors for the period included Dallas musician Don Henley ($10K), New Braunfels consultant John Archer ($8K), San Antonio accountant Marshall O’Dowd ($7K) and San Antonio attorney Barry Snell ($5K).

SD27: Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. (D-Brownsville) out-raised Sara Stapleton-Barrera, $1.1M to $40K, and outspent her, $767K to $69K. Lucio’s largest contributors for the period included Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC ($268K), Border Health PAC ($150K), Texas Assoc. of Realtors TREPAC ($124K), Austin advertiser Curtis Ford ($22K), Dallas energy executive Ray Hunt ($20K) and Doss retiree Michael Porter ($20K). Stapleton-Barrera’s largest contributor was Annie’s List ($4K), and nearly all other donors contributed $1K or less. For the election cycle, Lucio has out-raised Stapleton-Barrera, $2.2M to $52K, and outspent her, $2.1M to $324K.

HD2: Rep. Dan Flynn out-raised challenger Bryan Slaton, $336K to $167K, and outspent him, $255K to $141K. Flynn’s largest contributors were Texas Assoc. of Realtors TREPAC ($65K), Associated Republicans of Texas PAC ($35K), Gov. Greg Abbott’s campaign ($31K), Texas Consumer Lenders PAC ($15K), Texas Trial Lawyers Assoc. PAC ($10K). Slaton’s largest contributors were Midland oil businessman Tim Dunn ($150K), the Texas Federation for Children PAC ($6K) and Odessa oil businesspeople Amelia and Calvin Zugg ($5K), collectively accounting for 96% of Slaton’s contributions for the period.

HD25 open: Cody Vasut out-raised Ro’Vin Garrett, $48K to $22K, and outspent her, $69K to $38K. Vasut’s largest contributors were Rep. Mayes Middleton ($15K), Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC ($10K), Lake Jackson retiree William Samuel ($5K), Lake Jackson executive Kenneth Vernor ($5K)

HD26 open: Jacey Jetton out-raised Matt Morgan, $239K to $26K, and outspent him, $86K to $44K. Jetton’s largest contributors were Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC ($118K), Associated Republicans of Texas PAC ($41K), Gov. Greg Abbott’s campaign ($31K), Houston homebuilder Richard Weekley ($10K). Morgan’s largest contributor was Congress PAC ($7K).

HD45: Carrie Isaac out-raised Bud Wymore, $98K to $21K, and outspent him, $83K to $50K. Isaac’s largest contributors included Texas Federation for Children PAC ($42K), Texas Charter Schools Now PAC ($15K) and Rep. Mayes Middleton ($5K).

HD47: Justin Berry out-raised Jennifer Fleck, $223K to $19K, and outspent her, $84K to $33K. Berry’s largest contributors were Associated Republicans of Texas PAC ($80K), Gov. Greg Abbott’s campaign ($37K), Austin Police Assoc. PAC ($29K), Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC ($24K), Combined Law Enforcement Assocs. of Texas PAC ($15K) and Life PAC ($11K).

HD59: Rep. J.D. Sheffield out-raised challenger Shelby Slawson, $253K to $88K, and outspent her, $247K to $170K. Sheffield’s largest contributors were Texas Medical Assoc. TexPAC ($45K), Gov. Greg Abbott’s campaign ($26K), Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC ($18K) and Associated Republicans of Texas ($12K). He received contributions totaling $19K from 13 House Republicans. Slawson’s largest contributors were Texas Optometric PAC ($25K), Frisco developer Frank Peinado ($20K loan forgiveness) and Texas Nurse Practitioners PAC ($14K).

HD60 open: Jon Francis out-raised Glenn Rogers, $577K to $378K, thanks to $425K from his father-in-law Farris Wilks. Francis outspent Rogers, $585K to $287K. Aside from Wilks, Francis’s largest contributors were the candidate himself ($40K) and Gordon retiree Guy Mabee (25K). Members of the Wilks family have contributed $1.15M to Francis’s campaign, accounting for 83% of his contribution total, so far this election cycle. Rogers’s largest contributors were Texas Assoc. of Realtors TREPAC ($64K), Texas Farm Bureau AGFUND ($50K), Gov. Greg Abbott’s campaign ($44K), Veterinarian PAC ($25K), Associated Republicans of Texas PAC ($23K) and Texas Forever Forward PAC ($10K).

HD100: Rep. Lorraine Birabil (D-Dallas) out-raised Jasmine Crockett, $120K to $62K, and outspent her, $72K to $20K.

HD119 open: Campos’s largest contributors were Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC ($57K), Texas Charter Schools Now PAC ($33K) and Legacy 44 PAC ($13K).

HD142: Rep. Harold Dutton outraised his challenger, Houston council member Jerry Davis, $134K to $45K, but was outspent by Davis, $107K to $68K. Dutton’s largest contributors were Texas Assoc. of Realtors TREPAC ($35K) and the Texas Trial Lawyers Assoc. PAC ($32K).

HD148: Rep. Anna Eastman (D-Houston) out-raised Penny “Morales” Shaw, $168K to $73K, and outspent her, $183K to $90K.

Rep. Dan Flynn

©2020 Texas Election Source LLC

Filed under Campaign Finance Reports, HD100, HD119, HD142, HD148, HD2, HD25, HD26, HD45, HD47, HD59, HD60, SD14, SD19, SD27 .

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TXBIZNEWS
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Walmart has announced plans to eliminate synthetic dyes and over 30 other ingredients from its U.S. private brand food products such as Great Value, Marketside, Freshness Guaranteed, and Bettergoods, with a target completion date of January 2027, as outlined in a recent corporate statement.

The Details:

  • The initiative removes 11 synthetic dyes, such as Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5, along with preservatives and artificial sweeteners, responding to customer demand for simpler ingredients while maintaining taste and value.
  • The move affects all Walmart U.S. food private brands, supporting a more transparent food system and aligning with evolving health-conscious trends.
  • Walmart President and CEO John Furner said, “Our customers want products with familiar ingredients, and we’re delivering on that promise.”
  • The transition will leverage natural alternatives, with the company collaborating with suppliers to meet the 2027 deadline.

“Our customers have told us that they want products made with simpler, more familiar ingredients - and we’ve listened. By eliminating synthetic dyes and other ingredients, we’re reinforcing our promise to deliver affordable food that families can feel good about.”

- John Furner, President and CEO, Walmart U.S.

Why It Matters:
This shift could set a new standard for the U.S. food industry, boosting consumer trust and influencing market trends.

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