10.09.08
HD-52 fundraising follow up
In yesterday’s AAS there was an article on the third quarter fundraising totals for the candidates in HD-52, Maldonado raises much more money than Daniel. As EOW reported Tuesday, Maldonado has $278K, Daniel only $19K, much of the GOP candidates money comes from GOP sugar daddy Bob “swift boat” Perry, his wife Doylene, but also an anti-consumer PAC [Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR) PAC], which Perry helps fund. This is very important for anyone who has purchased a home since the GOP controlled Texas Legislature created Bob Perry’s “builder protection agency”, better known as the Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC).
You can read all about the TRCC and it’s ties to our local elected officials and Daniel’s connection to it in these two posts – Builder protection agency “hits home” in Williamson County, and Bryan Daniel and “Swift Boat” Bob Perry, Just More Of The Same. In Daniel’s most recent filing he raised a total of $84,874 and $47,335 (56%) came from Bob Perry ($15,000), his wife Doylene ($15,000), and TLR ($17,335). All voters in HD-52 must take this into consideration when voting in a few weeks, especially in light of this quote from Daniel in the AAS article.
Daniel noted that Perry, the state’s most generous individual donor to Republicans, builds houses in Williamson County and favors candidates who support smaller government and less regulation.
Less regulation means less consumer protection. And as we read Daniel supports less regulation, which means he would likely vote, if elected, against the consumers and for the homebuilders. A fundeamental reason to support Diana Maldonado in this race. Here’s what the candidates had to say about the TRCC at the candidates forum in September.
Texas Residential Construction Commission
Both candidates agreed with Garrett’s the Sunset Commission’s assertion that the Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC) is “fundamentally flawed” and “does more harm than good.” Daniel said that “some commission or watchdog group needs to be looking out for consumers.” Maldonado put the blame on large home builders who lobbied the legislature to create the TRCC as a way of avoiding accountability. “We have come to find out that the TRCC exists to protect the Lennar (Homes) and Bob Perrys of the world.” She then questioned Daniel’s independence on the question of what to do with the TRCC. “Bob Perry is a contributor to my opponent’s campaign,” Maldonado said.
That makes it pretty clear as well, where the candidates stand, and that Maldonnado will protect the consumer. Other topics addressed in the AAS article is the question of why Daniel’s fund raising numbers are so pathetic, and where’s Tom Craddick’s money? Maldonado’s campaign manager addresses those.
Genevieve Van Cleve, Maldonado’s campaign manager, said Daniel must rely on a handful of GOP donors.
“It points to the Republican base walking away from him,” Van Cleve said of Daniel’s smaller bank balance. “There’s only one place for him to go — that’s Craddick money.”
Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, a Midland Republican who survived a bipartisan revolt on the House floor last year, is seeking his fourth term as House leader by supporting a slate of loyal Republicans this fall. (Only House members vote in a speaker’s election.)
Only the big spenders in the Texas GOP are giving to his campaign. Must be the dirty tricks he used in the GOP primary runoff that are suppressing his local fundraising numbers. Speaker Craddick’s money in this latest filing was non-existent. But as a commenter at EOW recently stated.
While I’m a HD-52 resident and a Maldanado supporter, I have to point out that just because Daniel has considerably less $ than Diana at 30-day filing, don’t assume it will stay that way. The Speaker NEVER panics. Craddick and Co have been analyzing those filing reports like everyone else. And now that they know where the holes are in financing for “their candidates,” they will go about systematically filling those holes. Look for Daniel to do incredibly well in fundraising in the next few days. The direct mailers he’s sent out so far is nothing compared to what we’ll see from him in the next month.
In other words, there’s a likelihood that Craddick wanted to keep his name off of Daniel’s campaign for as long as possible, and now that the second to last filing deadline has passed – the “8-day” report being the only one left – he will start pouring money into this race. If that’s the case, it would show that Craddick and Daniel are hoping that when that report is filed there will be too little time to get the word out to voters that Daniel is a Craddick lackey. No worry, he’s a solid vote for Craddick if he’s elected.
The Texas Observer blog also had report on this ethics filing and pointed out a couple of all-time favorites gave to her campaign.
Oh, and here’s a sign that Maldonado has reach beyond her district: Don Henley – yes, that Don Henley – gave her $15,000. Austin filmmaker Richard Linklater (Slacker, Dazed and Confused, Waking Life) offered up $500.
With the stalwart from the Eagles on board, Maldonado should be able to Take It To The Limit so we can all Take It Easy in HD-52 after election day, (Corny, I know). There’s still a lot of time left in this race for the Texas and WCGOP to try and muddy the waters in HD-52 and get this race of the issues. We should take nothing for granted and work like we’re 20 points down.