AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) – Perhaps banking on the fact no Democrat has been elected to a state office in two decades, GOP attorney general candidate Ken Paxton has opted not exhaust his war chest in his battle against Democrat Sam Houston.
The Texas Ethics Commission released the latest round of campaign finance reports Tuesday, showing that from Sept. 26 to Oct. 26, Paxton hauled in more than $844,000 in donations.
The Republican attorney spent only a fraction of those funds, less than $214,000, in that time span, ensuring he’ll be well-armed for future elections.
Assuming Paxton refrains from emptying his coffers in the final days, he should have more than $2 million remaining in his war chest going forward.
Conversely, Houston, at the conclusion of the reporting period, maintained a balance of around $62,000 in reserve funds.
In the past 30 days, Houston collected more than $105,000 in donations but spent more than $205,000.
The campaign finance reports show dozens of Texas attorneys continued their financial support for Houston, with the trial lawyer receiving sizeable donations from the following attorneys:
-On Oct. 22 Joseph Jamail of the Houston law firm Jamail & Kolius donated $5,000;
-On Oct. 7 the Dallas law firm Weisbrod & Weisbrod contributed $10,000;
-On Oct. 8 Houston attorney David Matthiesen gave $2,500; and
-On Oct. 24 Houston attorney Richard Mithoff donated $5,000.
A review of Paxton’s campaign finance reports reveals PACs and Texas business leaders gave heavily to the Republican in the last 30 days, including:
-A $25,000 donation from John Eagle of John Eagle Dealerships on Oct. 2;
-A $20,000 donation from Joe Glazer of Glazer Family Companies on Oct. 23;
-A $25,000 donation from Marcus Hiles, CEO of Western Rim Property Services, on Oct. 18;
-A $10,000 donation from the Republican Attorneys General Association on Oct. 15;
-A $25,000 donation from oil and gas investor Kyle Stallings on Oct. 20;
-A $10,000 donation from the Texas Automobile Dealers Association PAC on Oct. 20;
-A $10,000 donation from the Texas Cornerstone Credit Union League PAC on Oct. 10;
-A $15,000 donation from the Texas Farm Bureau AG Fund on Oct. 23;
-A $10,000 donation from Texas Oil & Gas PAC on Oct. 23;
-A $10,000 donation from Thompson & Knight PAC on Oct. 20;
-A $10,000 donation from Andrews & Kurth PAC on Oct. 7; and
-A $25,000 donation from Javaid Anwar, owner of Midland Energy, on Oct. 22.
The winner of the race will replace Attorney General Greg Abbott, who is running for governor.
Early voting is already underway.
Reach David Yates at elections@legalnewsline.com