Texans for Public Justice has released what it calls “the first comprehensive study of a Texas election.” “Money in PoliTex: A Guide to Money in the 2002 Texas Elections” analyzes the $195 million that statewide and legislative candidates raised for the 2002 election, including the $43.5 million that Democratic and Republican political action committees raised separately to support state candidates.
“‘Money in PoliTex’ is the most complete picture to date of how big money dominates Texas politics,” said TPJ director Craig McDonald. “Wealthy individuals, businesses, and lobby interests write the big checks that have thrown Lone Star democracy out of balance.” Among the report’s findings:
Just 382 donors accounted for almost one-half ($60 million) of the $127 million raised from individual and institutional donors;
with the exception of two attorneys and two lobbyists, the top 50 individual contributors in the state all were business executives;
House candidates raised just 24% of their money within their districts, and Senate candidates got 31% in-district; and
60% of the races for district-level offices were uncontested, and just 20% were truly competitive.
For the full report, see www.tpj.org.
This article appears in November 28 • 2003.
