Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC recently filed a campaign finance report triggered by its involvement in the HD118 special runoff election. It discloses nearly $200K in expenditures over the first 16 days of the year, including $20K to a House challenger. Among the largest expenditures:
- $31,700 in kind for radio advertising supporting Rep. John Cyrier (R-Lockhart)
- $25,000 to Stan Lambert (HD71 open)
- $20,000 in kind for direct mail supporting John Lujan (HD118 special runoff election)
- $20,000 to Abraham Padron, the primary challenger of Rep. Sergio Munoz (D-Edinburg)
- $15,000 to Sen. Eddie Lucio (D-Brownsville)
- $15,000 to Rep. Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth)
- $14,000 in kind for grassroots activities supporting of Rep. Wayne Smith (R-Baytown)
- $5,000 to Rep. Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa)
- $5,000 to Rep. Bill Zedler (R-Arlington)
The group also contributed $25K to the Texas Bi-Partisan Justice Committee. The PAC has more than $4 million on hand, as of January 16, after which it reported a $300K contribution from Houston homebuilder Richard Weekley. These contributions would have been disclosed at a later date. The special runoff election’s timing provides a peek into the group’s priorities for the primary.
Padron and Mike Massengale (SC3) were the only challengers supported by the PAC in this filing. The contributions to Padron exceed the amount he reported raising in his January semiannual report. Padron reported spending nearly $70K – half of which went to McAllen-based The Positive Program for “campaign manager” expenses – in December. TLR’s involvement signals significant resources will be available for Padron’s challenge to Munoz.
