ET lawmakers Hughes, Simpson report campaign finances in state Senate bid
State Rep. David Simpson easily outpaced his opponents' fundraising efforts in the first campaign finance reporting period of the race to succeed the influential state senator representing Northeast Texas.
The reports filed July 15 by Simpson, a Longview Republican, and state Rep. Bryan Hughes, a Mineola Republican, covered donations received during a nine-day period after a post-session moratorium on fundraising ended in late June.
The two lawmakers and Carthage optometrist Dennis Golden are seeking the GOP nomination to succeed state Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, the Senate president pro tem who's announced he was stepping down after his term ends.
Simpson's report listed more than $143,000 raised during the period. Hughes reported almost $41,000 in donations.
Both already have been spending on the road to the March 1 Super Tuesday primary.
Both also reported routine expenses of setting up their campaigns and some early advertising — Simpson at $38,200 and Hughes at $29,000.
Their donations in the reporting period, coupled with what each already had in campaign accounts, left war chests topping $122,000 for Hughes and $291,000 for Simpson by the end of the reporting period.
Meanwhile, Golden said this week that he had not raised or spent more than $500, the level below which itemized campaign reports are not required.
Simpson and Hughes reported both large and small donors.
Simpson's report showed 49 donations of $50 or less.
"I am encouraged," he said. "People are enthusiastic about limiting government to its proper place — it's about life, liberty and getting government out of the way. That's the message that has resounded with businessmen and professionals and engineers and pastors, restaurant owners, doctors."
And at least one mayor. Kilgore Mayor Ronnie Spradlin pitched in $1,000 to Simpson's race.
Simpson, so far, is backed by two political action committees. Those are the Texas Land Title Co., which contributed $3,000, and the conservative Empower Texans PAC.
The latter PAC gave $2,000 to each candidate. It is run by Michael Quinn Sullivan, a hero to many conservatives and who has fought Texas Ethics Commission charges accusing him of being an unregistered lobbyist, which he denies.
Simpson said last week that both PACs made their contributions without his soliciting them.
His larger donations included $10,000 from Ward Timber Holdings, a Linden company fighting to prevent construction of Marvin Nichols Reservoir along the Sulphur River.
The lake is proposed by Dallas/Fort Worth water planners, whose region would benefit from the water, and opposed by water planners in Northeast Texas, where it would be built.
Simpson filed a bill during the session ending June 1 that would have forced the North Central Texans to win approval for the project from the Northeast Texas Water Planning Group. The bill was stripped from another bill by a Dallas/Fort Worth representative once it was spotted tucked into another measure.
A multigenerational timber son, Simpson also shares a profession with the large donor.
Hughes reported 27 donations of $50 or less, including three for $5.
"Money in smaller amounts is really encouraging," he said. "Folks who make contributions like that tend to be really committed."
The lawyer also reported two state appeals court chief justices among contributors.
Both $100 donors, they are James Worthen of Tatum, who presides over the 12th Court of Appeals in Tyler, and Thomas Gray, chief justice of the 10th Court of Appeals in Waco.
Hughes attracted nine PAC donors, topped by a $10,000 check from AT&T PAC.
Other PAC gifts to Hughes ranged from $500 to the $2,000 from Sullivan's PAC.
The Combined Law Enforcement Agencies of Texas, an association largely comprising jail and prison guards, contributed $1,000 his campaign.
"This race is important to them," Hughes said of CLEAT. "I can tell you there are going to be other law enforcement groups doing the same."
Hughes discounted his opponent's early fundraising lead.
"During that (fundraising) time, my focus was on getting endorsements, endorsements from local folks and statewide leaders for various grassroots groups." he said. "David was raising money."
Originally Posted by dannno
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