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Texas state legislative Republican primaries, 2018/Campaign activity

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Ballotpedia's series on the Texas state legislative Republican primaries
Overview
Page 1: Election night coverage of primary matchups
Page 2: Races to watch in the 2018 primaries
Page 3: Top 10 races in 2018
Page 4: Factional conflict in the 2018 primaries
Page 5: What was at stake in the 2018 primaries?
Page 6: Campaign activity by influencers and satellite organizations
Page 7: Noteworthy events, timeline, and media coverage of the 2018 primaries
Page 8: Competitiveness in the 2018 primaries
Page 9: Campaign finance in the 2018 primaries
Page 10: May 22 primary runoffs

On this page, you will find details on the campaign activities of the following influencers:

  • Gov. Greg Abbott
  • House Speaker Joe Straus
  • Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick
  • The Texas Freedom Caucus
  • Satellite organizations like Empower Texans and the Texas Association of Business
  • Major donors like Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks

Know of an influencer or an organization we did not cover? Let us know at editor@ballotpedia.org.

Gov. Greg Abbott endorsements

See also: Greg Abbott
Greg Abbott headshot.jpg

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) involved himself in the 2018 Texas state legislative Republican primaries by endorsing candidates supportive of his priorities. According to Abbott political adviser Dave Carney, "The governor plans to aggressively support those people who are with him and aggressively support qualified candidates who are running against people who were not supportive."[1]

Abbott's preferences were at least partially informed by which members supported the 20-item legislative agenda in a 2017 special session. House Speaker Joe Straus (R) and some of his allies in the state House worked against some of Abbott's priorities, including a bill that would have regulated bathroom usage in Texas. According to the Texas Tribune, Abbott's endorsement of three primary challengers of incumbent state representatives was related to their criticisms of him on ethics-related matters in 2017.[2]

Ballotpedia identified the following Abbott endorsements in contested Republican primaries. Videos for most of Abbott's endorsements were put on his YouTube channel.

Greg Abbott endorsements in contested Republican primaries
Endorsement Date Additional information
State Rep. Paul Workman[3] November 9, 2017 Incumbent facing primary challenge
Susanna Dokupil November 13, 2017 Primary challenger of state Rep. Sarah Davis, a Straus ally
State Rep. Ron Simmons[4] November 28, 2017 Incumbent facing primary challenge
State Rep. Rodney Anderson[5] November 28, 2017 Incumbent facing primary challenge
State Rep. Mike Lang[6] December 5, 2017 Freedom Caucus member facing a primary challenge
State Rep. Valoree Swanson[7] December 5, 2017 Freedom Caucus member facing a primary challenge
State Rep. Matt Schaefer[8] December 5, 2017 Freedom Caucus member facing a primary challenge
State Rep. Travis Clardy[9] December 7, 2017 Straus ally facing a primary challenge
State Sen. Donna Campbell[10] December 20, 2017 Incumbent facing a primary challenger
State Sen. Joan Huffman[11] January 4, 2018 Incumbent facing primary challenge
Mayes Middleton January 9, 2018 Primary challenger of state Rep. Wayne Faircloth, a Straus ally
Candy Noble[12] January 31, 2017 Candidate for House District 89
Cynthia Flores[13] February 1, 2018 Candidate for House District 52
Chris Fails[14] February 5, 2018 Primary challenger of state Rep. Lyle Larson, a Straus ally
Steve Toth[15] February 20, 2018 Candidate for House District 15
Thomas McNutt[16] March 1, 2018 Candidate for House District 8

In addition to Abbott's endorsements, he was set to appear at fundraising events for the following candidates:

House Speaker Joe Straus endorsements

See also: Joe Straus
Joe Straus, TX Rep.jpg

After announcing his retirement in October 2017, Joe Straus involved himself in the 2018 Texas state legislative Republican primaries by endorsing candidates supportive of his priorities.

He said, "I’m going to be doing what I’ve done traditionally in election cycles while I’ve been speaker and that’s supporting effective responsible Republican members of the House." He also said he would use the Texas House Leadership Fund, his leadership PAC, to support his preferred candidates.[17]

Straus gave a speech to the North Texas Commission in Irving on February 26 where he said voters should have considered the following three issues when casting their ballots in the primaries:[18]

“
  • No. 1, are you willing to increase the state’s share of school funding in order to improve education and reduce the burden on local property taxes? Yes or no?
  • No. 2, do you support the traditional conservative principle of local decision-making? Yes or no?
  • No. 3, when that bathroom bill comes back in 2019, will you vote for it or against it?

[19]

”
—Joe Straus

According to the Texas Monitor, Straus' PAC had more than $10 million heading into the 2018 primary season.[20] Straus put at least $670,000 into the primaries according to The Texas Tribune on February 28. $600,000 of that went to the House Leadership Fund and the Associated Republicans of Texas.[21]

Ballotpedia identified the following Straus endorsements.

Joe Straus endorsements in contested Republican primaries
Endorsement Date Additional information
State Rep. Sarah Davis[22] December 1, 2017 Incumbent facing primary challenge
State Rep. Hugh Shine[17] January 11, 2018 Incumbent facing primary challenge
State Sen. Kel Seliger[23] February 2, 2018 Incumbent facing primary challenge
State Rep. Lyle Larson[21] February 28, 2018 Incumbent facing primary challenge
E. Sam Harless[24] February 28, 2018 Candidate for District 126

The following House members are on the board of the House Leadership Fund controlled by the speaker and possibly have Straus' support:[25]

Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick endorsements

See also: Dan Patrick
Dan Patrick.jpg

Lieutenant Gov. Dan Patrick, an opponent of House Speaker Straus on issues like school funding, property taxes, and bathroom regulations, made endorsements in state Senate Republican primaries in 2018. He endorsed candidates from the anti-Straus wing of the party.

Heading into the elections, Patrick had the support and loyalty of most Senate Republicans, all but Craig Estes and Kel Seliger according to Gromer Jeffers Jr. of the Dallas Morning News. Despite this support, Patrick still waded into a number of contested primaries, including the challenge to Estes by state Rep. Pat Fallon.

Jeffers Jr. wrote, "Patrick's insertion in Senate races comes with considerable risk. If his candidates lose, it could upset the majority he already enjoys in the upper chamber, leaving him with more enemies and at risk of losing a super majority of allied Republicans."[26]

Patrick spent at least $550,000 in the 2018 primaries, according to The Texas Tribune. $200,000 of the spending went to Sen. Bob Hall, $100,000 went to state Rep. Pat Fallon, and $50,000 went to Angela Paxton.[21]

Dan Patrick endorsements in contested Republican primaries
Endorsement Date Additional information
Angela Paxton[27] February 16, 2018 Candidate for District 8
State Sen. Joan Huffman[15] February 20, 2018 Incumbent facing primary challenge
State Sen. Bob Hall[15] February 20, 2018 Incumbent facing primary challenge
State Sen. Charles Schwertner[15] February 20, 2018 Incumbent facing primary challenge
State Rep. Pat Fallon[18] February 26, 2018 Primary challenge of state Sen. Craig Estes

Texas Freedom Caucus endorsements

See also: Texas Freedom Caucus
Stickland

Some of the 12 members of the Texas Freedom Caucus made endorsements in some of the state House Republican primaries for open-seat challengers or challengers running against Straus-allied incumbents. The Freedom Caucus originally formed in February 2017 in opposition to Straus' leadership. The caucus itself does not issue endorsements.[28]

Freedom Caucus member Jonathan Stickland announced his intent to become involved in the primaries by tweeting, "I have no opponent. Time to travel the state and help kick my RINO colleagues out of office," on December 11, 2017. Besides Stickland, Ballotpedia identified endorsements from Matt Rinaldi, Matt Krause, Briscoe Cain, Matt Shaheen, and Jeff Leach.

Ballotpedia identified the following endorsements by Freedom Caucus members in state House races:

Texas Freedom Caucus endorsements in contested Republican primaries
Endorsement Date Endorsed by: Additional information
Jill Wolfskill[29] Unknown Cain, Krause, Rinaldi, Stickland Candidate for House District 13
Phillip Huffines[30] Unknown Cain, Rinaldi, Stickland Candidate for Senate District 8
Angela Paxton[30] Unknown Krause, Leach, Shaheen Candidate for Senate District 8
Matt Beebe[31] December 29, 2017 Stickland Candidate for House District 121
C.J. Grisham[32] January 2, 2018 Stickland Primary challenge of state Rep. Hugh Shine, a Straus ally
Susanna Dokupil[33] January 4, 2018 Stickland Primary challenge of state Rep. Sarah Davis, a Straus ally
State Sen. Bob Hall[34] February 6, 2018 Rinaldi Incumbent facing a primary challenge
Bryan Slaton[35] February 16, 2018 Cain Primary challenge of state Rep. Dan Flynn

The Texas Tribune identified the following candidates as likely to join the Freedom Caucus depending on the outcome of their primaries and general elections. The Texas Freedom Caucus is an invitation-only organization.[28]

Satellite groups

See also: Satellite spending

In the sections below, we highlight some of the organizations involved in the 2018 Republican state legislative primaries, including where they spent their money and who they endorsed. The endorsement sections only highlight candidates who were involved in a competitive Republican primary.

Factional alliances

The organizations listed in this section generally tended to prefer one Republican faction over the other in the state House primaries. Of the 26 contested Republican primaries where incumbents ran, 19 involve either members of the Texas Freedom Caucus or members identified as Straus allies by the Texas Monitor or Ballotpedia using endorsements by Straus or membership on Joe Straus' House Leadership Fund. In these 19 races, organizations often lined up with Freedom Caucus members and challengers of Straus allies or Straus allies and challengers of Freedom Caucus members.

The chart below notes whether organizations tended to side with the pro-Straus or the anti-Straus candidates. We also note where endorsements were made in the seven primaries where a member's faction was less clear or where there was no incumbent running. Organizations were not included if they had not released a full list of endorsements.

Chart last updated on February 14, 2018.

The chart below contains the following information:

  • Name of organization: Lists the organizations in alphabetical order.
  • Endorse pro-Straus candidate: Indicates how many Straus allies or challengers to Freedom Caucus candidates the organization supported.
  • Endorse anti-Straus candidate: Indicates how many challengers to Straus allies or Freedom Caucus incumbents the organization supported.
  • Other incumbent endorsements: Indicates how many incumbents the organization supported who were not identified as Straus allies or Freedom Caucus members.
  • Other challenger endorsements: Indicates how many challengers the organization supported who were not running against Straus allies or Freedom Caucus members.
  • Open race endorsements: Indicates how many candidates the organization supported who were running in open Republican primaries.
  • Open race endorsements: Indicates how many candidates the organization supported who were running in open Republican primaries.
  • Total endorsements: Indicates how many total candidates the organization supported.
Organization endorsement analysis
Organization Endorse pro-Straus candidate Endorse pro-Straus candidate (%) Endorse anti-Straus candidate Endorse anti-Straus candidate (%) Other incumbent endorsements Other challenger endorsements Open race endorsements Total endorsements
Associated Republicans of Texas 12/19 63.16% 0/19 None 3 0 7 22
Empower Texans 0/19 None 16/19 84.21% 0 4 9 29
Texas Association of Business 18/19 94.74% 0/19 None 1 0 6 25
Texas Medical Association 15/19 78.95% 0/19 None 6 0 0 21
Texas Parent PAC 13/19 68.42% 0/19 None 2 0 11 26
Texas Right to Life 0/19 None 18/19 94.7% 1 2 12 33
Texas Values 0/19 None 3/19 15.79% 0 0 4 7
Young Conservatives of Texas 0/19 None 12/19 63.16% 0 3 5 20

Associated Republicans of Texas

Associated Republicans of Texas primarily supported candidates aligned with House Speaker Joe Straus in the 2018 election cycle. According to its website, the group "is a non-profit organization committed to maintaining the Republican majority in the Texas Legislature and strengthening the future of Republicans in Texas."[36]

According to Transparency Texas the group "has definitively sided with the more establishment wing of the Republican Party, preferring legislators who focus on the budget rather than what some might consider 'hot button' political issues." Transparency Texas also said that the group is aligned with Straus (he donated $200,000 to it in 2016) and that its donors include wealthy individuals such as alcohol distributor John L. Nau III, Houston Texans owner Robert McNair, and Gulf States Toyota owner T. Dan Friedkin.[37]

Heading into the 2018 election cycle, the group had $1.4 million in cash on hand.[38]

Endorsements[38][39]

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that the Associated Republicans of Texas endorsed in the 2018 state Senate primaries.

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that the Associated Republicans of Texas endorsed in the 2018 state House primaries.

Empower Texans

See also: Empower Texans

Empower Texans supported state legislative candidates opposed to Joe Straus in the 2018 election cycle. According to its website, the organization exists "to create and sustain a system of strong fiscal stewardship within all levels of Texas government, ensuring the greatest amounts of economic and personal liberty, and promoting public policies that provide individuals with the freedom to use their strengths and talents in pursuit of greater opportunities."

According to Transparency Texas, the group received nearly $1.4 million in the 2016 election cycle (including $822,000 from Farris and Jo Ann Wilks) and spent over $2.6 million giving to candidates mostly aligned with the anti-Straus faction. These candidates included future Freedom Caucus members Matt Rinaldi, Tony Tinderholt, and Jonathan Stickland as well as Bo French, a challenger to Straus ally Charlie Geren.

As of January 2018, the group had received nearly $500,000 in donations and had given over $300,000 to anti-Straus candidates. Click here to see where the money went.

Endorsements[40]

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that Empower Texans endorsed in the 2018 state Senate primaries.

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that Empower Texans endorsed in the 2018 state House primaries.

New Leadership PAC

See also: New Leadership PAC

New Leadership PAC (NLP) is a political action committee in Texas formed in October 2017 "to encourage and support new leadership at all levels in the Texas House during the 2018 Primary season and beyond," according to the organization's website.[41] The group was originally formed in opposition to Joe Straus (R) continuing as speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.[42]

In November 2017, the group announced that it would be targeting 12 incumbent Republican representatives aligned with Straus in the 2018 Republican primaries. It referred to those candidates as, "The Dirty Dozen," and while it said that John Zerwas was on the list, the other targeted incumbents were not revealed. The group said it would give $100,000 to candidates running against the 12 incumbents.[43]

The Texas Monitor identified the following Straus-aligned Republicans as possible members of the Dirty Dozen.

On January 10, 2018, the Texas Monitor reported that the group's treasurer, Don Dyer, said the following about the races the group would target: "“We’re evaluating a dozen races. It really comes down to whether a candidate represents constituents or the big-money lobby.”[20]

On January 18, the Texas Tribune reported that the group had contributed to one candidate at the time of the January 2018 filing deadline for campaign finance: $25,000 to Bo French in his primary challenge of Charlie Geren.[45] The group had raised $266,000 from Dyer and Stacy Hock, a policy activist and former IBM executive.[46] It had another $410,000 in pledged contributions from Dyer, Hock, and Texas oil investor Jeff Sandefer.[47]

Pastors for Texas Children

Headed by Rev. Charles Johnson, Pastors for Texas Children is an organization that advocates for increased public education funding and against vouchers for private schools. According to its website, its mission is to "[support] our free, public education system, to promote social justice for children." According to a profile of Johnson and the group by the Dallas Morning News in January 2018, the group supported the Straus faction of Republicans in the 2018 state House primaries.

According to Mark Jones of Rice University, the group could have worked to increase voter turnout for Straus-aligned Republicans in 2018. The Dallas Morning News says that Johnson's get-out-the-vote efforts in state Rep. Byron Cook's (R) 2016 primary could have helped him defeat an anti-Straus challenger by 225 votes.

Johnson said he would involve his organization in six state House Republican primaries and three state Senate Republican primaries in 2018. He did not specify the races.[48]

Texans for Lawsuit Reform

See also: Texans for Lawsuit Reform

Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR) is based in Houston and, according to its website, "discourages non-meritorious lawsuits or outrageous claims for damages." Transparency Texas describes the organization as supportive of "conservatives who can get things done."[49]

In the 2016 election cycle, TLR raised nearly $8 million and spent close to $5 million. In state legislative races, it supported House Speaker Joe Straus (R) and some of his allies, including Cindy Burkett, Charlie Geren, Dan Huberty, Sarah Davis, and Wayne Faircloth.

As of January 2018, the group had raised over $3.6 million and had spent around $700,000 in the 2018 election cycle. Its donations went to a wide array of Republican legislators, with both allies of Straus and members of the Texas Freedom Caucus receiving donations. Click here to see where the money went.

Endorsements[50]

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that Texas for Lawsuit Reform endorsed in the 2018 state Senate primaries.

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that Texas for Lawsuit Reform endorsed in the 2018 state House primaries.

Texas Association of Business

The Texas Association of Business (TAB) supported state legislative candidates aligned with Joe Straus in the 2018 election cycle. It supports candidates through its political action committee TXBIZ PAC. According to TXBIZ PAC chairman Brett Graham, it supports "candidates willing to focus next session on the critical issues facing Texas – investment in transportation and infrastructure, economic development, education and job creation."[51]

Before the Texas Legislature met in a July 2017 special session, TAB bought $1 million in radio ads urging opposition to a bill being pushed by anti-Straus Republicans that would have regulated bathroom usage in the state. The Senate passed the bill, but Straus did not let it have a vote in the House.[52]

Endorsements

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that the Texas Association of Business endorsed in the 2018 state Senate primaries.

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that the Texas Association of Business endorsed in the 2018 state House primaries.

Texas Association of Realtors

See also: Texas Association of Realtors

The Texas Association of Realtors (TAR) is an organization that advocates on behalf of realtors in Texas, utilizing two political action committees, Texas Association of Realtors PAC and Texas Association of Realtors Issues Mobilization PAC, in its support of political candidates. According to Transparency Texas, the two PACs received $16 million in donations and spent a combined $44 million in the 2016 election cycle. Transparency Texas also said, "they most often throw their considerable heft behind House Speaker Joe Straus’ leadership team and other moderate-to-liberal candidates in order to maintain their seat at the governing table."[49]

As of January 2018, the two political action committees had raised over $2.7 million and had spent about $16.6 million in the 2018 election cycle. Click here to see where the money went.

Endorsements[53]

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that the Texas Association of Realtors endorsed in the 2018 state Senate primaries.

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that the Texas Association of Realtors endorsed in the 2018 state House primaries.

Texas Medical Association

See also: Texas Medical Association

The Texas Medical Association (TMA) primarily supported candidates aligned with House Speaker Joe Straus in the 2018 election cycle. According to its website, is an organization that advocates on behalf of medical professionals in Texas. If often uses its committee TEXPAC to engage in political activities. In 2016, the group raised over $2 million and spent about $1.3 million.[56]

As of January 2018, the group had received almost $360,000 in donations and had spent nearly $50,000. Click here to see where the money went.

Endorsements[57]

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that the Texas Medical Association endorsed in the 2018 state Senate primaries.

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that the Texas Medical Association endorsed in the 2018 state House primaries.

Texas Parent PAC

Texas Parent PAC supported candidates supportive of House Speaker Joe Straus (R) in the 2018 election cycle. Chairwoman Carolyn Boyle said its endorsed candidates "will stand up for children and be effective advocates for public education at the State Capitol."[39] Furthermore, its website says its endorsed candidates "reflect traditional mainstream American values that honor and support children and their families, quality public education, strong communities, unlimited opportunities, and maximum citizen participation in our democracy."

In the 2016 election cycle, Texas Parent PAC raised about $150,000 and spent over $100,000.[58]

Endorsements[39]

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that Texas Parent PAC endorsed in the 2018 state Senate primaries.

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that Texas Parent PAC endorsed in the 2018 state House primaries.

Texas Right to Life

Texas Right to Life (TRL) supported Republicans opposed to House Speaker Joe Straus (R) in the 2018 election cycle. According to its website, the organization "[seeks] to articulate and protect the Right to Life of defenseless human beings, born and unborn, through legal, peaceful, and prayerful means."[59] In 2016, it raised nearly $900,000 and spent over $1 million. Farris and Jo Ann Wilks (profiled in the Donors section below) gave $475,000 to the organization in 2016.

As of January 2018, the group had received about $27,000 in donations and had spent over $50,000. The candidates who received donations from the group were usually anti-Straus state legislators. Click here to see where the money went.

Endorsements[60]

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that Texas Right to Life endorsed in the 2018 state Senate primaries.

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that Texas Right to Life endorsed in the 2018 state House primaries.

Texas Values

Texas Values supported Republicans opposed to House Speaker Joe Straus (R) in the 2018 election cycle. According to its website, Texas Values' goal "is to stand for biblical, Judeo-Christian values by ensuring Texas is a state in which religious liberty flourishes, families prosper, and every human life is valued." It makes endorsements through its political organization called Texas Values Action.

Endorsements

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that Texas Values endorsed in the 2018 state House primaries.

Young Conservatives of Texas

Young Conservatives of Texas supported candidates opposed to Joe Straus in the 2018 state legislative primaries. According to its website, Young Conservatives of Texas is "a non-partisan conservative youth organization, has been fighting for conservative values for more than a quarter century in the Lone Star State and publishes the most respected ratings of the Texas Legislature."[61]

Endorsements

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that Young Conservatives of Texas endorsed in the 2018 state Senate primaries.

Click [Show] to see a full list of candidates that Young Conservatives of Texas endorsed in the 2018 state House primaries.

Donors

The website Transparency Texas highlights influential donors in Texas politics. In this section, Ballotpedia provides an overview of the donors who were involved in the Republican state legislative primaries.

Tim Dunn

See also:Tim Dunn
TimDunn.jpg

Tim Dunn helped found the oil company CrownQuest Operating and launch the group Empower Texans, which opposes House Speaker Joe Straus. He has also been associated with Texans for Fiscal Responsibility and the Texas Public Policy Foundation.[63] In the 2016 election cycle, he donated almost $350,000, including $80,000 to Empower Texans and nearly $40,000 to state Rep. Jonathan Stickland, a member of the Texas Freedom Caucus.[64]

Dunn wrote an op-ed for the Dallas Morning News on March 2, 2018, about Empower Texans' involvement in the 2018 primaries and its goals.

As of March 5, 2018, Dunn had donated over $1.3 million in the 2018 election cycle, and, according to Transparency Texas, he was focusing on helping anti-Straus candidates gain power in the state House.[65]

Woody Hunt

Woody Hunt.PNG

Woody Hunt is the head of Hunt Companies, Inc., a business involved in real estate, finance, and infrastructure. According to Transparency Texas, Hunt primarily gives to organizations like Associated Republicans of Texas and the Texas Association of Business, both of which were supportive of pro-Straus candidates.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many He was a top donor to Straus during his tenure as speaker.[66]

As of March 5, 2018, he had donated over $320,000. Most of it went to the Associated Republicans of Texas, the Texas Association of Business, and Straus himself.[67]


David and Darlene Pendery

Darlene P.PNG

David and Darlene Pendery are retired business owners from Flower Mound, Texas, who have involved themselves in Republican politics.[68] According to Transparency Texas, the 2018 election cycle is the first in which they became donating to a large number of candidates.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many

As of March 5, 2018, they had donated almost $420,000 in the 2018 election cycle, and, according to Transparency Texas, they were mainly targeting incumbents in the state House primaries.[69]

Farris and Jo Ann Wilks

Farris Wilks.PNG

Farris and Jo Ann Wilks were involved in the fracking and gas industry along with Farris' brother Dan. They started the company Frac Tech in 2002 and sold it in 2011 for $3.2 billion. In 2011, they began purchasing land in Texas, Idaho, and Montana. In Montana, they became the largest private landowners in the state.

Farris has served as the pastor at the Assembly of Yahweh, 7th Day in Cisco, Texas. Wilks' sermons have addressed his opposition to homosexuality and his skepticism about human contributions to climate change, according to Reuters. Past political donations from the Wilks included $1.5 million to Liberty Counsel, a legal defense group that defended Kim Davis, the clerk of Rowan County, Kentucky, after she declined to provide marriage certificates to same-sex couples. They have also donated to lawmakers who supported a law that would prevent municipalities from banning fracking.[70]

In the 2016 election cycle, they donated over $2.4 million, with over $600,000 going to conservative Republicans running for state House and over $1.6 million going to conservative organizations including Empower Texans, Texas Right to Life, and the Texas Home School Coalition. Among the state House candidates they donated to were Matt Rinaldi, Jonathan Stickland, Tony Tinderholt, Bill Zedler, and Jeff Leach—all members of the Texas Freedom Caucus.[71] They also donated to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) in his 2016 presidential bid. At one point, they gave a pro-Cruz super PAC $15 million. Wilks told Reuters, “We support (Cruz) because he believes in the morality of the free market, in keeping our country safe, and in the right of the unborn not to be killed in their mother’s womb.”

As of March 5, 2018, the Wilks had donated over $1.4 million in the 2018 election cycle, and, according to Transparency Texas, were focusing on supporting anti-Straus candidates in state legislative races and anti-Straus organizations like Empower Texans and Texas Right to Life.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[72] The following website was set up in opposition to the Wilks and their preferred candidates: whoownstexas.com.

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Dallas Morning News, "Family feud, 2018 edition: Republicans brace for internal struggle in March primaries," September 19, 2017
  2. ↑ Texas Tribune, "Analysis: “You come at the king, you best not miss”," February 9, 2018
  3. ↑ Statesman, "Gov. Abbott endorses Rep. Paul Workman of Austin for re-election," November 9, 2017
  4. ↑ Greg Abbott for Governor, "Governor Abbott Endorses Representative Ron Simmons For State Representative Of House District 65," November 28, 2017
  5. ↑ Greg Abbott for Governor, "Governor Abbott Endorses Rodney Anderson For Re-Election In House District 105," November 28, 2017
  6. ↑ Texas Tribune, "In rural North Texas, GOP House primary pits Freedom Caucus member against superintendent," January 23, 2018
  7. ↑ Greg Abbott for Governor, "Governor Abbott Endorses Valoree Swanson For Re-Election As State Representative," December 5, 2017
  8. ↑ Greg Abbott for Governor, "Governor Abbott Endorses Matt Schaefer For Re-Election As State Representative," December 5, 2017
  9. ↑ Greg Abbott for Governor, "Governor Abbott Endorses Travis Clardy For Re-Election As State Representative," December 7, 2017
  10. ↑ Donna Campbell for State Senate, "Senator Donna Campbell Endorsed by Governor Greg Abbott," December 20, 2017
  11. ↑ Greg Abbott for Governor, "Governor Abbott Endorses Joan Huffman For Re-Election As State Senator," January 4, 2018
  12. ↑ Texas Tribune, "The Blast," January 31, 2018
  13. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Blastf1
  14. ↑ Greg Abbott for Governor, "Governor Abbott Endorses Chris Fails For State Representative In House District 122," February 5, 2018
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Texas Tribune,"The Blast," February 20, 2018
  16. ↑ Texas Tribune, "The Blast," March 1, 2018
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 TDT News, "Speaker Straus endorses Shine, talks politics," January 11, 2018
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Texas Tribune, "The Blast," February 26, 2018
  19. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NLPMON
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Texas Tribune, "The Blast," February 28, 2018
  22. ↑ San Antonio Express-News, "San Antonio’s Straus says he won’t endorse speaker candidate to replace him," December 1, 2017
  23. ↑ Texas Tribune, "The Blast," February 2, 2018
  24. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Blastf23
  25. ↑ Twitter, "Jonathan Stickland," accessed January 19, 2018
  26. ↑ Dallas Morning News, "Already playing with a strong hand, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick gambles by endorsing in GOP primaries," February 21, 2018
  27. ↑ The Texas Tribune, "Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick backs Angela Paxton in GOP primary for North Texas senate seat," February 16, 2018
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Texas Tribune, "Texas Freedom Caucus sees opportunities to grow in 2018 GOP primaries," February 15, 2018
  29. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Blastj26
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Blastf14
  31. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Sticklandbeebe
  32. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named SticklandCJ
  33. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named sticklandsd
  34. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Blastf6
  35. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Blastf16
  36. ↑ Associated Republicans of Texas, "Home," accessed January 26, 2018
  37. ↑ Transparency Texas, "Associated Republicans of Texas," April 26, 2017
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Blastj25
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Blastf9
  40. ↑ Empower Texans, "2018 primary endorsements," accessed February 8, 2018
  41. ↑ New Leadership PAC, "New Leadership PAC," accessed November 7, 2017
  42. ↑ The Texas Monitor, "New PAC aims to topple Straus and his lieutenants in ‘corrupt’ House," October 19, 2017
  43. ↑ Texas Monitor, "Rep. Zerwas may be in crosshairs of PAC’s $100,000 ‘Dirty Dozen’ bounties," November 9, 2017
  44. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named NONE
  45. ↑ Texas Tribune, "The Blast," January 18, 2018
  46. ↑ Grub Street, "Meet the Woman Who Paid $14,000 for a Dozen Cronuts," October 23, 2013
  47. ↑ Dallas Morning News, "How Texas oilman Jeff Sandefer got control of 17 billion barrels of Australian reserves," June 2011
  48. ↑ Dallas Morning News, "Baptist preacher's crusade against 'sinful' school vouchers steps on Texas GOP leaders' toes," January 12, 2018
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 Transparency Texas, "PACs Have Political Tribes Too," July 12, 2017
  50. ↑ Twitter, "TLRPAC," accessed February 15, 2018
  51. ↑ TXBIZ PAC, "Endorsements," January 25, 2018
  52. ↑ Dallas Morning News, "New political ad pulls Cowboys, NFL draft into middle of bathroom bill debate in Texas," July 24, 2017
  53. ↑ Twitter, "TREPAC," accessed February 15, 2018
  54. ↑ Email communication with Ballotpedia staff, February 6, 2018
  55. ↑ 55.0 55.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Blastf13
  56. ↑ Transparency Texas, "Texas Medical Association PAC," accessed January 9, 2018
  57. ↑ TEXPAC, "Endorsements," January 18, 2018
  58. ↑ Transparency Texas, "Texas Parent PAC," April 3, 2017
  59. ↑ Texas Right to Life, "Who We Are," accessed January 31, 2018
  60. ↑ Texas Right to Life, "Endorsements," accessed January 16, 2018
  61. ↑ Young Conservatives of Texas, "Homepage," accessed January 11, 2018
  62. ↑ Grant was declared ineligible to run on January 19 after a judge ruled that he did not meet the residency requirement for running in District 127. His name still appeared on the ballot.
  63. ↑ Texas Tribune, "In Dunn, Far Right Has Spender Who Gets Results," May 11, 2014
  64. ↑ Transparency Texas, "Tim Dunn," accessed February 5, 2018
  65. ↑ Transparency Texas, "Top Ten Donors of the 2018 Texas Election Cycle," accessed February 5, 2018
  66. ↑ Transparency Texas, "The Next Speaker," November 9, 2017
  67. ↑ Transparency Texas, "WOODY L. HUNT," accessed February 5, 2018
  68. ↑ Meetup.com, "The Boiling Point TEA Party PAC, NE Tarrant County, Texas," accessed February 5, 2018
  69. ↑ Transparency Texas, "DARLENE PENDERY," accessed February 5, 2018
  70. ↑ Reuters, "Special Report: Touting morality, billionaire Texas brothers top 2016 donor list," September 11, 2015
  71. ↑ Transparency Texas, "A Closer Look – Farris & Jo Ann Wilks," March 20, 2017
  72. ↑ Transparency Texas, "FARRIS & JOANN WILKS," February 5, 2018
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