Rep. Drew Springer (R-Muenster) out-raised Pilot Point salon owner Shelley Luther, $775K to $564K, and outspent her, $925K to $869K, according to the candidates’ runoff reports. Springer has a slight edge in cash on hand, $217K to $184K. Springer added a $100K loan. Luther’s loan balance remained just over $1M.
Springer’s report disclosed contributions received and expenditures made since October 24, the last day covered by the 8-day-out report he filed before the November 3 election, for which he was a candidate in HD68. Luther’s report goes back to September 20. If we included Springer’s contributions and expenditures between September 20 and October 24, then he out-raised Luther, $1.1M to $564K, and outspent her, $1.2M to $869K.
Springer’s largest contributors for the current period (since October 24) were Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC ($300K), Texas Farm Bureau AGFUND ($50K), Texas Leads PAC ($50K), Goldthwaite homebuilder Richard Weekley ($25K) and Chickasaw Nation ($20K).
Luther’s largest contributors for the period (since Sept. 20) were Midland oil and gas executive Tim Dunn ($500K) and Defend Texas Liberty PAC ($35K), which was entirely funded by Dunn. Those two sources together provided 95% of Luther’s contribution total. Dunn also provided Luther a $1M loan prior to the September 25 special election.
For the election cycle, Springer has out-riased Luther, $1.5M to $701K, and outspent her, $1.7M to $1.5M.
Local Runoffs
El Paso: Former Mayor Oscar Leeser led Mayor Dee Margo, 80%-20%, who conceded shortly after early voting totals were released. Council incumbent Alexsandra Annello was leading Judy Gutierrez, 51%-49%, as of 10:15 p.m. MST. Incumbent Sam Morgan was trailing Joe Molinar, 54%-46%, as of the same time. Voters elected the late Lillian Blancas, who died of COVID-19, to a municipal judge position. The council will appoint someone to the position.
Houston: Tarsha Jackson won her long-delayed runoff over Cynthia Bailey, 69%-31%. Jackson finished first in the November 2019 general election with 21% to Bailey’s 15%. Third-place finisher Renee Jefferson-Smith (11%) unsuccessfully contested Bailey’s eligibility over a 2007 felony conviction. Council member Jerry Davis’s term has been extended by a year because of the delay in electing his successor.
Laredo: Both council incumbents were defeated. Incumbent Nelly Vielma lost to Ruben Gutierrez, 53%-47%. Incumbent Roberto Balli lost to Alyssa Cigarroa, 84%-16%. Vanessa Perez defeated Betty Flores, 70%-30%, to win an open council seat.
Baytown: Jacob Powell defeated Thomas Parent, 65%-35%, and Mike Lester edged out Susan Cummings, 53%-47%, to claim open council seats.
Humble: Unofficially, Paula Settle defeated Arliss Ann Bentley by 2 votes to claim an open council seat.
Missouri City: Mayor Yolanda Ford lost re-election to Robin Elackatt, 53%-47%, and challenger Lynn Clouser defeated council member Christ Preston, 60%-40%.
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