Establishment PACs have lined up to support candidates countering conservatives in the July runoffs. We’ve been looking over finance reports to better define the races and outline formed alliances.
First up we looked at Jason Villalba running for the open HD 114. Villalba is running against Bill Keffer a former representative who enjoys widespread conservative support.
Parent PAC, a consistent contributor to Democrats and liberal Republicans has endorsed Villalba. PPAC aided by a $100,000 cash infusion from Charles Butt has given Villalba $7500 in his run-off. Parent PAC resists education reform, opting instead to support the status quo.
For an in-depth look at Parent PAC read Weston Hicks’ piece on the group: Texas Parent PAC funds the badguys
Second in giving, only to Houston homebuilder Bob Perry, the Texas Real Estate PAC has been laying out big for Villalba in the run-off. The TREPAC’s marquee accomplishment this election cycle has been taking out stalwart conservative Wayne Christian. Since June 1st TREPAC has dumped $40,000 on Villalba.
Like the Realtors the Texas Hosipital Association’s PAC has given money to defeat conservatives this primary. TEXPAC has given $4,000 to Villalba during the run-off. Recently the Hospital association got crossways with Governor Rick Perry over expanding Medicaid in Texas.
In addition to these long standing establishment funders Villalba’s report turned up a group we were unfamiliar with, the Conservative Values Coalition. The newly formed PAC gave $1000 to Villalba and has endorsed a handful of other candidates including Bennett Ratliff, Trent McKnight and Greg Bonnen. All of these candidates were endorsed by Parent PAC and the Texas Hospital Association.
Recently the Villalba campaign has been labeling Keffer as a tax and spend liberal. This week state Senator John Carona came to Bill Keffer’s defense calling the Villalba attacks baseless and false. Carona added that, “Bill Keffer actually has a record as one of the most conservative members of the Texas Legislature, always focusing on how to reduce government spending.”
This article is part of a series examining campaign finance reports.
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