Senator “Money” Mayes Middleton financing campaigns across Texas

July 6, 2023

I don’t call him “Money” Mayes for nothing.

Senator Middleton is using his wealth to finance campaigns across Texas, hand picking extreme right wing candidates and providing them with funding. His biggest contribution, according to the Texas Ethics Committee, is to himself. Since 2015 Middleton self financed his campaigns for State House and Senate to the tune of $5.7 Million.

Middleton has donated over $9 million to candidates and extreme right wing organizations with over 60% going to his own campaigns. Some of his biggest donations include $300,000 to Louie Gohmert who unsuccessfully ran for Texas Attorney General against Ken Paxton in the Republican Primary. He donated over $60,000 to Galveston’s State Representative Terri Wilson. Wilson raised over 87% of her entire campaign donations from out of district PACs and individuals. He donated a few thousand dollars to the leader of conservative values, State Representative Tony Tinderholt, who has been married 5 times. He donated $186,000 to Carrie Isaac of Dripping Springs.

You can view Middleton’s donations here.

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Stealing Campaign Cash: Houston City Councilman Michael Kubosh

June 21, 2023

So much for his candidacy for Houston Controller.

According to Councilman Michael Kubosh he has quit the race for Controller due to health reasons. KHOU TV thinks otherwise and for good reason. KHOU compared Kubosh’s campaign finance reports to his social media activity and found that he spent some of his donors money on personal travel and entertainment. From KHOU:

KHOU shared with Gutierrez a list of 20 questionable campaign expenses and corresponding social media videos. They include other expenses for family meals, and airport parking charges during out-of-state trips. The items span six years of Kubosh’s nine-year city council tenure and total $7,754.76.

Now to be fair, $7,754.76 isn’t that much. I’ve seen worse. There was Secretary of State Jane Nelson spending tens of thousands of dollars of her donor’s money on a condo. There was Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole spending $250,000 of his donors money on Starbucks, antique books and western chaps. (seriously) And there was State Representative John Davis of Clear Lake spending $1500 of his donors money on fancy, custom made, cowboy boots.

But Kubosh was running for Controller on a platform of fiscal responsibility, transparency, and all of those right wing talking points. He obviously was also running on hypocrisy which is a trademark of the Republican Party. So just days after KHOU started asking questions, he quit, as he should have.

Kubosh has claimed he has filed updated reports. According to Texas laws if you get caught breaking the Ethics Commission laws by a media outlet all you have to do is file a correction and you are off the hook. It’s like stealing from a bank. If you return the money you won’t be charged. (LOL)

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Donating Campaign Cash: Don McGill Toyota

June 16, 2023

Much like Tilman Fertitta Don McGill plays both sides. Sort of.

According to the Texas Ethics Commission Don McGill of Don McGill Toyota donated over $1.8 million to various PACs and candidates since 2000. From 2000-2014 he donated a total of $145,500 with donations not exceeding $5000. In 2014 he began donating large sums of money totaling $1.7 Million. His largest donations includes $500,000 to Judicial Fairness PAC and Stop Houston Murders PAC formed to support republican judicial candidates. He also donated to Sid “The C*nt” Miller and Ken “The Impeached” Paxton. (See below)

He does play both sides of the aisle just like Tilman Fertitta. Of the $1.8 Million he has donated $2500 to 2 Democrats.

Judicial Fairness PAC ,500,000.00
Stop Houston Murders PAC ,500,000.00
Texans for Dan Patrick ,390,000.00
Harris County Republican Party (CEC) ,260,000.00
Miller ,Sid50,000.00
Ken Paxton20,000.00

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Who is behind the Stop Houston Murders PAC?

June 16, 2023

It’s not what you think.

You might think Stop Houston Murders PAC is working to, well, stop murders in Houston by advocating for mental health services, taking unlimited guns off the street, educating Houston citizens about respectful ownership of guns, advocating for red flag laws, or working to keep our Police Officers safe. If you think that, then you think wrong.

Stop Houston Murders PAC is a political organization that is spending money on electing judges, republican judges, in Harris County along with the Judicial Fairness PAC which spent $10 Million doing the same thing. They both failed. It’s not like that is what I think they are doing, they actually state it in their slick commercials and their funding is coming from the same people that fund the Judicial Fairness PAC. It looks like Judicial Fairness PAC is working to get corporation friendly civil court judges elected and Stop Houston Murders PAC is focused on criminal judges.

Fundraising
SHM began its fundraising in Feb of 2022 with a donation of $25,000 from John O’Neil, a right wing political activist with an interesting past. In 2022 they raised $2.4 Million $2.3 Million, 96% from 20 donations of $10,000 or more. 16 individuals or PACs contributed this $2.3 Million. The top contributors include Judicial Fairness PAC for $650,000, Don McGill Toyota with a combined total of $1 Million between both PACs, and the Houston Police and Firefighters PACs. The 16 individuals/PACs are listed below. Of the $2.4 Million, $5455 or .002% came from the common folks giving $100 or less.

Judicial Fairness PAC$650,000
Don McGill of West Houston LTD$500,000
OTA Holdings$250,000
Texas Transeastern, Inc$250,000
Weekley ,Richard$210,000
Coalition Por For Texas PAC$150,000
Huggins, III ,Josiah O.$100,000
Plains Marketing, LP$100,000
O’Neill ,John$86,500
Hillwood Development$25,000
Rowling ,Robert$25,000
Constable Mark Herman Campaign$10,000
Duddlesten ,Karen A.$10,000
Herman ,Mark$10,000
Houston Fire Fighters PAC$10,000
Peacock ,David$10,000
Total Donations$2,396,500

Spending
SHM spent over $2.3 Million in 2022 trying to elect republican judges. $2.2 Million was spent on slick advertisements. $2 Million was paid to Bullhorn Communications for consulting and media production. Even Wayne Dolcefino Consulting received a $1100 bone for video production.

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CCISD Trustee Scott Bowen cleared in official grievance

June 15, 2023

Although I do not agree with the ruling I respect the decision.

And I am glad I filed this grievance against Scott Bowen for testifying at a hearing in Austin advocating for a bill, on OUR behalf, that would harm public education. Bowen identified himself as a Trustee, spoke as a Trustee, and stated that his constituents, you and me, were against everything the Texas Association of School Boards advocated for including eliminating racism in the class room and stopping vouchers which would harm our public schools. But don’t take my word for it. Watch the 3 minute video and make your own decision.

The presiding attorney concluded:

It is my recommendation that the grievance and written requested remedy that Trustee Bowen be sanctioned, reprimanded, or asked to resign be denied for the reasons stated herein. Trustee Bowen had a right under Texas law and the United States Constitution, First Amendment, to participate in the legislative process in his individual capacity, and he had a right to identify his title as trustee in doing so. I do not find that he crossed any lines or that he spoke or intended to speak on behalf of the CCISD Board of Trustees. 

You can read the entire report here. Maybe next time Bowen will think twice about speaking on behalf of his constituents when he doesn’t have the right to.

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The attack on your judicial system. Judicial Fairness PAC.

June 14, 2023

When do you stop bashing trial lawyers? When you need one.

While looking at the donations to Texans for Lawsuit Reform I stumbled on a PAC called Judicial Fairness, which is far from fair. Judicial Fairness PAC was created in 2020 with a one time donation of $900,000 from Engage Texas, an extreme right wing organization. They have since raised over $10 Million and spent the most of these donations to sway the election of Judges in Harris County. In 2022 they failed but they came very close across the board. $10 Million is considered, in political terms, a shitload of money for Judicial races.

Of the $10.8 million raised $10.3 Million came from 11 PACs or corporations. (See list below) The top donors include Texans for Lawsuit Reform for $5.3 Million, Conoco, Chevron, Don McGill Toyota, and even $750,000 from the Las Vegas Sands. Needless to say their goal is fairness in the court room, not for you or me, but for their corporations.

They spent $3.3 Million specifically against Harris County Democratic Judges including donations $650,000 to Stop Houston Murders PAC. Other expenditures of over $7 Million were not disclosed on who they specifically supported/opposed. These expenditures were for ad buys, mailers, TV, and radio. Nebo Media in Atlanta Georgia was paid $7.2 Million for their advertisement services.

So when you or a family member are in front of a Judge in a criminal or civil case just think about how important judicial fairness really is, and who paid for it.

DonorAmountCity/State
Texans for Lawsuit Reform$5,300,000Austin TX
Trinity Equity Partners$1,000,000Houston TX
Engage Texas$900,000Austin TX
Las Vegas Sands$750,000Las Vegas NV
Chevron$500,000San Ramon CA
Apache Corporation$500,000Houston TX
Don McGill of Katy$500,000Houston TX
Republican State Leadership$300,000Washington DC
ConocoPhillips$250,000Houston TX
Restoration PAC$250,000Downers Grove IL
SRR Ranches LLC$100,000Galveston TX
$10,350,000

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Texans for Lawsuit Reform. Why you should have been concerned. (hint. It’s too late)

June 12, 2023

While you have been clutching your guns your rights to the 7th amendment of the Constitution has been taken away.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform filed their first Ethics Commission report back in 2000. I remember their lobbyists at the Texas Capitol from my years as a consumer advocate. They claim to advocate on behalf of Texans but the money they raise paint a very different picture.

Mandatory Binding Arbitration
The 7th Amendment of the Constitution states “In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved…..” In short, we have (had) a right to a civil trial for consumer issues such as a faulty foundation in your new home, or cell phone contracts, or buying a new or used car. Giving up your Constitutional rights isn’t an option in Texas. It’s called “Mandatory” for a reason. You have no choice and if you think it is “faster, cheaper, better” you are just ignorant, as most consumers are.

Protecting the bad doctors
TLR also advocated for changing the Texas Constitution to allow for limits on medical malpractice. At the time they said it would lower our health insurance bills and protect doctors from malpractice suits. So take a look at your healthcare bills and tell me how that worked out fer ya. (Hint. It didn’t) As expected nothing has changed. Texas ranks #1 in the uninsured, #45 in health care access, and #38 in overall health care. Luckily most Texans will never need the help of a Texas trial lawyer when it comes to medical malpractice, but when you do….god help you.

TLR Donors
So who has wiped out your safety nets? Since 2000 TLR has raised over $109 Million. $153,000 or .13% (not 13% .13%) was raised from the everyday, common, ignorant, citizen who donated $100 or less thinking they were helping. $90 Million or 83% came from donors who gave from $20,000 to $5,000,000. $48.5 Million or 44% came from just 18 individuals. It gives you an idea of who TLR really represents. In 2020 there was a significant increase in donations corresponding to the 2020 elections.

Here are the top donors:

NameAmount
Jan Duncan$7,300,000Retired
Richard Weekley$6,300,000Homebuilder
Ross Perot$4,700,000Developer
Robert McNair$4,500,000Texans Owner
Bob Perry$3,100,000Homebuilder
Jeffery Hildebrand$2,800,000Energy
Harlan Crow$2,500,000Investor
Harold Simmons$2,400,000Financial Planning
Joe Walter$2,300,000Oil & Gas
David Weekley$2,100,000Homebuilder
Anthony Annunziato$1,600,000Commodity Trading
W Bosarge$1,500,000Consulting
Boone Pickens$1,300,000Investments
Kenney Troutt$1,200,000Investments
Alan Hassenflu$1,700,000Real Estate
Jay Adair$1,100,000Auto Parts
Javiad Anwar$1,000,000Energy
Russell Gordy$1,000,000Oil & Gas
$48,400,000

And if you are interested in graphs:

So you better go clutch that gun a bit tighter because that is all you have at this point.

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A deep dive: Defend Texas Liberty and the CCISD elections

June 7, 2023
From TheTexasVoice.com

This is some serious money and dirty influence.

The extreme far right Political Action Committee, Defend Texas Liberty attempted to influence voters in CCISD. CCISD voters didn’t buy it and for very good reasons. CCISD candidate Peter Lauzon accepted $5000 from this extremist organization which was the majority of his donations. Candidate Glencora Rodgers returned the $5000 they had donated. Most voters have no idea of who Defend Texas Liberty is or who funds them. Here are some details:

Defend Texas Liberty filed their first report with the Texas Ethics Committee in 2020. Since then they have raised nearly $12 Million mostly from two billionaires. Timothy Dunn donated $7.3 Million while Farris Wilks donated $3.2 million. These two individuals accounted for 88% of all the donations. Windi Grimes of Houston donated $571,000. Phillip Huffines donated $500,000, and Ken Fisher donated $100,000.

Timothy Dunn
Dunn has donated over $21 Million since 2004. His biggest donations were to Empower Texas (dissolved) for $7.7 Million, Defend Texas Liberty for $7.3 Million, Ken Paxton for $672,000, Shelley Luther for $1.7 Million, $407,000 to Tony Tinderholt and $275,000 to Bryan Slaton. Shelley Luther is known for being the hairdresser who refused to close her shop during COVID. She ended up in jail then ran for the House and then the Senate. She lost both. Tinderholt is a christian, conservative that has been married 5 times. Praise the lord. Bryan Slaton was removed from the Texas House by unanimous vote after he was found to have provided minors with alcohol and porked his 19 year old staff member. Lordy!

Farris Wilks
Wilks donated almost $15 Million since 2014. He also donated to Empower Texas for $2.4 Million, Defend Texas Liberty $3.2 Million, Ken Paxton for $776,000, and Bryan Slaton for $103,000.

Defend Texas Liberty
Defend Texas Liberty has spent $10.8 Million to various candidates and PACs including $160,000 to Representative Bryan Slaton pictured above. As I said, Slaton won his election and was recently removed from office by a unanimous vote in the Texas House for providing alcohol to minors and having unbridled sex with his christian, conservative, staff member who was 19 years old at the time.

Other notable donations:
Local State Representative Terri Leo-Wilson received $12,000 to add to her total, of which 94% came from out of district. State Representative Tony Tinderholt received $23,000.

Tim O’Hare, an extreme far right candidate, of Southlake Texas received $86,000 for his race for Tarrant County Judge in 2022. Texas Homeschool Coalition received $112,500.

Shelley Luther received $208,500 for her failed bid for Senate. Her claim to fame was.

And that is who attempted to influence the CCISD elections.

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Donating Campaign Cash: Tillman Fertitta

June 6, 2023

Tilman Fertitta donates to both sides……sort of.

In a previous post I noticed billionaire Tilman Fertitta, owner of the Houston Rockets, had donated $40,000 in 2022 to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. $40,000 isn’t a lot of money compared to other one time donations Paxton has received including $200,000 from Dallas Cowboy’s owner Jerry Jones, but it did catch my attention.

According to the Texas Ethics Commission Fertitta has donated over $5.2 Million to candidates/PACs in Texas since 2000. He has donated over $1.8 Million to Greg Abbott, $842,000 to Dan Patrick, $347,000 to Rick Perry, $165,000 to Ken Paxton, and $220,000 to Glen Hegar (Texas Comptroller), 145,000 to Speaker Phelan, for a total of $3,519,000 for these 5 Republicans.

But he does play both sides, sort of. Senator Alvarado received $48,000, Senator John Whitmire $195,000, Senator Zaffirini $12,500, Representative Wu $6500, Representative Walle $5000, Mayor Turner $11,800, and $116,000 to other various Democrats for a total of $394,800.

So, yes. Tilman Fertitta plays both sides.

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Raising Campaign Cash: Texas AG Ken Paxton

June 5, 2023

He doesn’t have enough campaign cash to pay the $3.3 Million dollar settlement from the whistleblower lawsuit.

Over the last two years impeached Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton raised over $14 Million, spent about $12 million and has just over $2 Million remaining. He recently settled a whistleblower lawsuit against him for retaliation against four attorneys after they contacted the FBI over allegations of illegal activity.

Needless to say Paxton doesn’t have $3.3 million to pay his debt so he asked the Texas Legislature to pay it which started an internal investigation and ended in his impeachment. It’s almost funny. Almost.

$11.3 Million of his $14 Million haul came from individuals/PACs who donated more than $10,000, or about 80%. His largest donor is the extreme far right PAC created by the two billionaires featured on CNN, Defend Texas Liberty PAC for $1,300,000. Even Jerry Jones contributed to Paxton with a $200,000 donation as well as local billionaire Tillman Fertitta for $40,000. His top donors are listed below.

Paxton also has a debt in the form of loans to Defend Texas Liberty PAC for $750,000 and someone in California for $480,000. So he has enough in his campaign account to repay his loans but will not have enough to pay his lawsuit settlement.

Defend Texas Liberty PAC$1,300,000.00PAC
Republican Attorney General Association$500,000.00PAC
Simon Hodson$480,000.00Energy
Douglas Scharbaeur$450,000.00Oil/Cattle
Kenny Troutt$400,000.00Investment firm
Javaid Anwar$375,000.00Oil and Gas
Michael Porter$275,000.00Doctor
THRC Holdings$250,000.00Investment firm
Montgomery Bennett$200,000.00Hotel and Resorts
Jerry Jones$200,000.00Dallas Cowboys
Holly Frost$200,000.00Texas Memory Systems
Dan and Farris Wilks$150,000.00Oil and Gas

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