Voters still have to wait nearly a year to decide who should replace the retiring Kay Bailey Hutchison in the U.S. Senate, but donors are already making their voices heard -- by giving more than $7 million to Texans running for the job.
Former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert leads the pack with $2.6 million, followed by former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams of Fort Worth, with $2.4 million, campaign finance reports filed recently with the Federal Election Commission show.Three other candidates have also raised more than $1 million."The amounts raised thus far are just down payments," said Larry Sabato, a political analyst and director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. "Given Texas' enormous size and media market complexity, tens of millions of dollars will be raised and spent for this special, rare prize."Here's a look at donations to U.S. Senate candidates between Jan. 1 and March 31, according to FEC records.Glenn Addison of Magnolia raised $20,432.82 since Jan. 1, including a $6,877.82 personal loan. He has $8,353.55 in cash on hand. Most of his donations came from Magnolia and other Houston-area communities; none came from Tarrant County.Ted Cruz of Houston, former solicitor general, raised more than $1 million, including a $70,000 personal loan, and has slightly less than that on hand. He drew donations from attorneys nationwide and a number of out-of-state donors. Notable donations include $500 from Geoff Connor, who was Texas secretary of state from 2003 to 2005 and was followed in office by Roger Williams; $2,500 from Chamath Palihapitiya of California, a vice president of Facebook; and $500 from Hiram Sasser of McKinney, an attorney at the Plano-based Liberty Institute.Elizabeth Ames Jones raised $122,185 since Jan. 1 for a total of nearly $1.3 million during this election cycle. She has $128,541 on hand. She drew donations from ranchers, investors, doctors, drilling company workers, and oil and gas industry officials. Much of her support came from San Antonio, her hometown. Notable donations include $250 from the Truitt for District 98 committee, which works on behalf of state Rep. Vicki Truitt, R-Keller, and $1,000 from James Cavender III of San Antonio, owner of the Cavender Auto Group.Tom Leppert raised more than $2.6 million since Jan. 1, including a $1.6 million personal loan. He has slightly less than $2.6 million hand. He drew donations from business owners, CPAs, attorneys and executives, many from Dallas. Notable donations include $2,500 from Stephen Butt of Dallas, vice president and general manager of H-E-B/Central Market; $2,500 from H.R. Perot; $2,500 from Roger Staubach, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback; and $1,000 from Gerard Arpey of Fort Worth, chairman of American Airlines.Lela Pittenger of Dripping Springs raised $150 since Jan. 1. Her report didn't say where the money came from or how much cash she has on hand.Michael Williams raised $418,619.20 since Jan. 1 and more than $1.1 million, including a $150,000 personal loan, during this election cycle. He has $369,369.68 on hand. Williams drew donations from engineers; oil and gas industry officials; geologists; attorneys; residents of Arlington, where he lives; and residents of Midland, where he was born. Notable donations include $2,500 for the primary, $2,500 for the general election and $2,500 for any runoff from Dallas entrepreneur and philanthropist Richard Collins, $5,000 from the Small Biz PAC and $1,000 from Black America's political action committee.Roger Williams raised just under $600,000 since Jan. 1 for a total of more than $2.4 million, including a $250,000 personal loan, since he started his campaign. He has $1.2 million on hand. Most of his donations came from the Fort Worth/Weatherford area, where he lives and works, as well as from auto dealers, chief executives, oil and gas industry employees, bankers, insurance agents and attorneys. Notable donations include $2,400 from Harold Simmons, a Dallas billionaire who owns Waste Control Specialists; $500 from Jim Sundberg, a Texas Rangers executive and former catcher; and $1,500 from the Mike Moncrief campaign.Anna M. Tinsley, 817-390-7610Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
