BIG DIFFERENCES IN CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS

  

A review of campaign finance reports filed by the candidates in the race for Texas House District 13 shows a big difference in the sources of contributions.

Through the February 9th filing with the Texas Ethics Commission, Burleson County Attorney Leighton Schubert had received just under $96,000 in contributions.  Former Austin County Judge Carolyn Bilski had received just under $80,000 in contributions.  Schubert’s contributions included only 1 Political Action Committee….a $1000 contribution from the Blue Bell Creameries PAC.  Bilski’s report shows contributions from 21 Political Action Committees for a total of over $29,000.  Among the PAC’s making donations to Bilski are Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Beverage Alliance PAC, Houston Association of General Contractors PAC, Texas Academy of Family Physicians PAC, Association of General Contractors of Texas PAC, Texas Apartment Association PAC, and Association of Professional Educators PAC….all from Austin.  There are also a couple of out of state PAC donations from Dominion Political Fund PAC in Minnesota, and McGuire Woods PAC in Virginia.

Of Schubert’s contributions, 87% came from people inside District 13, and 13% from outside the District.  Bilski’s report shows that 37% of her contributions came from people inside District 13, with 63% coming from people outside the District.  There is also a large difference in the number of individual contributors within District 13 to each candidate.  Schubert’s reports show a total of 166 individual contributions, while Bilski’s reports show 61 individual contributions.

On the expenditures side of the campaign finance report, the two campaigns show very similar numbers.  Schubert had spent just over $64,000 on the race through Monday, while Bilski had spent just over $69,000.

Friday is the last day for early voting in the District 13 State Representative’s race, with election day Tuesday, February 17th.