Reports claim that oil and electric industries are financing Texas GOP campaigns, including those of Governor Greg Abbott, who has generated more than $25 million over the last four months in his bid for a fourth term.
With Texas average gasoline prices up 29% from last year according to AAA, and rising data center construction concerning rural residents over electric rates and fuel impacts, these industries’ backing of major political candidates has concerned many.
“Follow Greg Abbott’s money, and you’ll find everything wrong with government,” said a spokesperson for Abbott’s democratic opponent, state Rep. Gina Hinojosa.
Eduardo Leal, a spokesperson for Abbott’s campaign, stated in an email that contributions to the governor’s campaign are “publicly disclosed and in keeping with Texas law.”
“[Abbott] continues to earn broad support from Texans because of his proven record of slashing property taxes, securing the border and keeping Texas affordable,” he added.
Abbott has argued that, because the Texas economy is faring better than the nation’s, his approach to government “must be working”; however, some argue that the growing cost of Texas campaigns “is damaging trust in politics.”
In Texas, there is currently no limit on individual campaign contributions in most statewide races. “The result is that a few individuals with wealth unimaginable to working Texans can buy the type of government they want, rather than the one the people might otherwise choose,” explains Texas director of Public Citizen, Adrian Shelley.
Abbott started this year with $106 million in his campaign fund. After the March primary election and the $25 million gained over the last cycle, he now has around $67.2 million for the general election, according to his latest filing.
During the most recent campaign season, Abbott has received donations from political action committees run by the Texas Oil and Gas Association and Chevron, as well as individual contributions from oil executives. These include donations from Javaid Anwar for $1.25 million, Cody Campbell for $300,000 and John Sellers for $250,000. The latter two are cofounders of Double Eagle.
Abbott has also received part of a $500,000 donation, given to his own campaign and that of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, along with around $365,000 from donors associated with Oncor Electric Delivery, a state-regulated company that provides an electric distribution network for much of northern Texas.
In comparison, Hinojosa has raised $6.2 million over the last four months and reports around $3 million in cash available. Her campaign reports she relies heavily on small donors.