Gov. Greg Abbott (R) raised $2.27M during the first special session. His largest contributors for the period were Houston foundation president Nancy Kinder ($250K), Midland investor Douglas Scharbauer ($100K) and San Antonio alcoholic beverage distributor Alan Dreeben ($75K).
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R), Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont), Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton (R), Comptroller Glenn Hegar (R), Land Comm. George P. Bush (R), Agriculture Comm. Sid Miller (R) and Railroad Comm. Wayne Christian (R) – all also on the ballot in 2022 – raised $450K combined during the same period.
Former Republican Party of Texas chair Allen West raised $404K during the period, including $160K from Lake Forest, Ill. shipping supply company owner Richard Uihlein. Texans supplied 42% of West’s contribution total. In addition to Uihlein, West raised $73K from out-of-state donors.
HD118 special: San Antonio legislative aide Katie Farias (D), former Rep. John Lujan (R-San Antonio), San Antonio attorney Desi Martinez (D), San Antonio zoning director Frank Ramirez (D) and Universal City real estate agent Adam Salyer (R) have filed for the special election to fill the unexpired term of former Rep. Leo Pacheco (D-San Antonio), who resigned last month. The filing deadline is Monday for the September 28 special election.
HD12: Bryan resident Joshua Hamm established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of Rep. Kyle Kacal (R-College Station). We were unable to identify him conclusively.
HD61: Decatur farmer and software consultant Andy Hopper amended his campaign committee for a potential run for an undetermined House seat as a Republican. Hopper finished sixth in 2020 special election for SD30 (4%). As the districts are currently configured, Decatur is located entirely within HD61, which is currently held by Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford).
HD99: Fort Worth resident Elizabeth Coffey established a campaign committee for a potential challenge of Rep. Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth). We were unable to identify her conclusively.
TBD: Spicewood financial advisor Channon Cain established a campaign account for an undisclosed state office. Based on past campaign contributions, Cain would be running as a Republican. As the districts are currently configured, Spicewood is in located in SD24, which is being vacated by Sen. Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway), and HD20, which is currently held by Rep. Terry Wilson (R-Granite Shoals).
Harris Co.: Humble ISD board president Martina Dixon announced she would challenge County Judge Lina Hidalgo (D) as a Republican.
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