With so many Texans voting early in general elections and a paucity of competitive races, the impact of “late-train” money in close campaigns is muted. As a result, we are seeing fewer, and smaller, infusions of cash and in-kind contributions during the campaigns’ final week, unless we’re looking at CD23.

Below we report on recent late-train contributions in some of the most contested legislative races and that congressional race.

HD105: Challenger Terry Meza reported a $16K in-kind contribution from Texans for Insurance Reform for direct mail in a daily pre-election report (formerly telegram report) dated November 1.

HD107: Rep. Kenneth Sheets reported $9K in contributions from various sources in a trio of daily pre-election reports through November 2.

HD117: Challenger Philip Cortez reported a $2K in-kind contribution from the Texas State Teachers Assoc. PAC in a daily pre-election report dated November 1.

HD118: Rep. John Lujan (R-San Antonio) reported a $5K in-kind contribution from the Texas Republican Representatives Campaign Committee and a $1K cash contribution from former Comptroller Susan Combs in a daily pre-election report dated November 3.

HD144: Challenger Mary Ann Perez reported $14K in contributions, including $9K from Annie’s List, in a daily pre-election report dated November 2.

CD23: Unlike these and other House races we did not include above, the state’s lone competitive congressional district continues to attract lots of late-train money.

U.S. Rep. Will Hurd

U.S. Rep.
Will Hurd

Pete Gallego

Pete
Gallego

U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-San Antonio) has filed eight 48-hour Contribution Reports totaling $255K in contributions received since October 20. Contributors included the American Bankers Assoc. BANKPAC ($5K), GEO Group Inc. PAC ($5K), Jobs Freedom and Security PAC ($5K), Nat’l Independent Automobile Dealers Assoc. PAC ($5K), Republican Operation to Secure and Keep a Majority PAC ($5K), Vulcan Materials Co. PAC ($5K) and at least a dozen Republican members of Congress.

Former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego (D-Alpine) has filed a dozen 48-hour Contribution Notices covering $104K in contributions received since October 20. Contributors included SEIU COPE ($5K), the Texas Democratic Party ($5K) and at least a dozen Democratic members of Congress.

Another $1.9M in independent expenditures has been made by outside groups since October 20. Overall, independent expenditures and campaign contributions for the race have exceeded $16M.