(C) Texas Tribune This story was originally published by Texas Tribune and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . The Blast: The financial state of play, July update [1] [] Date: 2024-07 Jul 17, 2024 | View in browser By Renzo Downey and The Texas Tribune Politics Team 1 day until the Republican National Convention ends 32 days until the Democratic National Convention 55 days until the second presidential debate MONEY, MONEY, MONEY Campaign finance numbers for the first half of 2024 are in, and it’s time to assess the financial state of the battleground races. Beginning with the top federal races, here are candidates’ campaign PAC’s money raised, spent, on hand and in loans for April through June, the latest period covered by the Federal Elections Commission July quarterly report: TX-SEN U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R) / Ted Cruz for Senate: $7.1 million raised / $4.5 million spent / $12.7 million COH (R) / Ted Cruz for Senate: $7.1 million raised / $4.5 million spent / $12.7 million COH U.S. Rep. Colin Allred (D) / Colin Allred for Senate: $8.7 million raised / $10.4 million spent / $10.5 million COH TX-15 U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R) / Monica for Congress: $1.3 million raised / $704,000 spent / $2.2 million COH (R) / Monica for Congress: $1.3 million raised / $704,000 spent / $2.2 million COH Michelle Vallejo (D) / Michelle Vallejo for Congress: $405,000 raised / $195,000 spent / $682,000 COH / $100,000 loans TX-28 U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D) / Texans for Henry Cuellar Congressional Campaign: $211,000 raised / $273,000 spent / $351,000 COH (D) / Texans for Henry Cuellar Congressional Campaign: $211,000 raised / $273,000 spent / $351,000 COH Jay Furman (R) / Commander Jay Furman for Congress: $27,000 raised / $16,000 spent / $17,000 COH / $146,000 loans TX-34 U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D) / Vicente Gonzalez for Congress: $428,000 raised / $201,000 spent / $1.7 million COH (D) / Vicente Gonzalez for Congress: $428,000 raised / $201,000 spent / $1.7 million COH Former U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores (R) / Mayra Flores for Congress: $1 million raised / $876,000 spent / $1.1 million COH Allred raised more than Cruz for yet another quarter, but Cruz has built a lead in cash on hand. The incumbents have comfortable cash leads, except in the case of Gonzalez. Flores has been putting in work to stay relevant as a former member, and the National Republican Congressional Committee has gone in hard for her. Now for battleground state legislative races — specifically, state House races where the margins in the district results or the gubernatorial results were within 10 percentage points in 2022. Because some candidates had primaries, some had runoffs and others had no races at all, below The Blast is only sharing the cash the candidates have on hand and in loans, if any: HD-34 Solomon P. Ortiz Jr. (D): $26,000 COH / $35,000 loans (D): $26,000 COH / $35,000 loans Denise Villalobos (R): $11,000 COH HD-37 State Rep. Janie Lopez (R): $103,000 COH (R): $103,000 COH Jonathan Gracia (D) / $95,000 COH / $244,000 loans HD-52 State Rep. Caroline Harris Davilla (R): $70,000 COH (R): $70,000 COH Jennie Birkholz (D): $26,000 COH HD-70 State Rep. Mihaela Plesa (D): $170,000 COH / $64,000 (D): $170,000 COH / $64,000 Steve Kinard (R): $17,000 COH HD-74 State Rep. Eddie Morales Jr. (D): $196,000 COH / $215,000 loans (D): $196,000 COH / $215,000 loans Robert Garza (R): $759 COH (Yes, seven hundred and fifty-nine dollars) HD-80 Cecilia Castellano (D): $41,000 COH / $170,000 loans (D): $41,000 COH / $170,000 loans Don McLaughlin Jr. (R): $32,000 COH / $65,000 loans HD-108 State Rep. Morgan Meyer (R): $165,000 COH (R): $165,000 COH Elizabeth Ginsberg (D): $96,000 COH HD-112 State Rep. Angie Chen Button (R): $739,000 COH (R): $739,000 COH Averie Bishop (D): $106,000 COH HD-118 State Rep. John Lujan (R): $13,000 COH / $10,000 loans (R): $13,000 COH / $10,000 loans Kristian Carranza (D): $191,000 COH HD-121 Marc LaHood (R): $52,000 COH / $36,000 loans (R): $52,000 COH / $36,000 loans Laurel Jordan Swift (D): $35,000 COH / $25,000 loans HD-138 State Rep. Lacey Hull (R): $174,000 COH (R): $174,000 COH Stephanie Morales (D): $0 COH The big surprise in the competitive state House races is Carranza, whose $264,000 push in fundraising since securing the Democratic nomination has carried her to the top of financially backed challengers. Lujan had two fundraisers in Austin over the last two months, but he has only raised $70,000 since January. And as you can tell by the low cash on hand number, he’s spent most of that. Finally, here is the cash situation for some key statewide-elected officials who are not up for reelection this year: Gov. Greg Abbott : $177,000 COH Texans for Greg Abbott: $51.1 million COH : $177,000 COH Texans for Greg Abbott: $51.1 million COH Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick : $17,000 COH Texans for Dan Patrick: $27.1 million COH / $3 million loans : $17,000 COH Texans for Dan Patrick: $27.1 million COH / $3 million loans Comptroller Glenn Hegar : $9.6 million COH : $9.6 million COH Attorney General Ken Paxton : $2.4 million COH / $85,000 loans : $2.4 million COH / $85,000 loans U.S. Sen. John Cornyn / Texans for Senator John Cornyn Inc.: $3.1 million COH Within Abbott’s fundraising is another $4 million from pro-“school choice” megadonor Jeff Yass, who previously gave Abbott $6 million in his campaign to secure education savings accounts by targeting fellow Republicans. The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors. Become one. HIDDEN AD WHAT CUELLAR IS READING The headline that U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar is likely reading: “Schumer calls on Menendez to resign following conviction.” The parallels between U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez’s and Cuellar’s legal woes come naturally. Both are Democrats, both are accused of accepting bribes from foreign operatives, both deny the accusations and both continue to run for reelection. At least for now. As that Politico headline from yesterday notes, a jury convicted New Jersey’s senior senator on all counts in his corruption trial, and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, called on him to resign. Menendez, who is running an independent campaign to retain his seat, has not addressed whether he might drop out or resign. Cuellar’s trial isn’t imminent — it’s been delayed until spring 2025 — but the Menendez case provides a roadmap for how top Democrats could handle Cuellar’s case. As of now, U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, D-California, and the entire House Democratic leadership team are standing by Cuellar. It’s steadfast support from the top that’s similar to how House leadership defended him in 2022, when he survived his primary by 0.6 percentage points following FBI raids of his residence and office paired with heightened progressive scrutiny on his anti-abortion stance. Cuellar’s challenge this cycle wasn’t the primary, given that he had no challenger. But Republican Jay Furman presents somewhat of a threat to Cuellar in the upcoming general election, given Cuellar’s legal woes and the presidential election’s momentum shift toward former President Donald Trump, if that continues. Cuellar won reelection by 13.3 points in 2022, so he has a bit of a buffer in this year’s reelection. But given the uncertainty, he could use the vote of confidence and external support from top Democrats. Based on what National Republican Congressional Committee leadership said during a sit down with Politico at the Republican National Convention today, they’re bullish about races like Cuellar’s that had seemed out of reach. “If you’re a Biden plus 10, plus 11, plus 12, we’re starting — we think we can win those seats now,” NRCC Chair Richard Hudson said. “There will be some key Biden districts.” Cuellar may have won his most recent reelection by double digits, but the district would’ve only gone for Biden by 7 points, based on the 2020 presidential election votes. Already, Democrats’ continued support for Cuellar contrasts with how around half of Senate Democrats called on Menendez to resign in the immediate fallout from his indictment. Even Schumer sounded a little cold to Menendez in his public statements at the time. As of now, at least 40 Democratic senators, including Schumer, have called for Menendez’s resignation. Perhaps Cuellar’s saving grace for Democrats is that he’s a moderate in a potential swing district who consistently outperforms Democrats at the top of the ticket. The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors. Become one. HIDDEN AD HOUSE GI: MURR’S STILL MUM There wasn’t much to report from the House General Investigating Committee hearing today, which entered into a private “executive session” for about an hour and adjourned without providing any details. So far, all Chair Andrew Murr, R-Junction, has said is that they are not investigating Attorney General Ken Paxton, despite Paxton’s claim that the committee is prepping the House for another impeachment. The Blast has heard the names of a couple other members credibly mentioned as potential subjects of the investigation, but the information isn’t credible enough to report, yet. The Blast will report back when we learn more. NEW SENATE COMMITTEE Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick created a Senate Special Committee on Hurricane and Tropical Storm Preparedness, Recovery and Electricity: Chair Charles Schwertner , R-Georgetown , R-Georgetown Vice Chair Phil King , R-Weatherford , R-Weatherford Sen. Carol Alvarado , D-Houston , D-Houston Sen. Paul Bettencourt , R-Houston , R-Houston Sen. Brandon Creighton , R-Conroe , R-Conroe Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa , D-McAllen , D-McAllen Sen. Joan Huffman , R-Houston , R-Houston Sen. Lois Kolkhorst , R-Brenham , R-Brenham Sen. Morgan LaMantia , D-Palm Valley , D-Palm Valley Sen. Mayes Middleton , R-Galveston , R-Galveston Sen. Borris Miles , D-Houston , D-Houston Sen. Robert Nichols , R-Jacksonville , R-Jacksonville Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo It’s another data point showing Patrick’s support for Schwertner in the face of the latest article with allegations that the senator has sexually harassed staff. The report, written by Olivia Messer and Cara Kelly in Texas Monthly, included the new allegation from a former Senate staff member who accuses Schwertner of hugging and grabbing her butt. Miles was also the subject of a similar new accusation in that report. “Texas Monthly has falsely maligned me and the nearly 75 different senators I have proudly served with as a senator and as lieutenant governor,” Patrick said in a statement to The Blast following the publication last week. “The members and I take this issue very seriously. Harassment of any type is not tolerated on my own staff.” Join us online Wednesday, July 31, for “Texas and the AI revolution: business and government.” Texas is embracing advancements in artificial intelligence, with businesses and governments rapidly integrating AI technologies. Darla Cameron , the Tribune’s interim chief product officer, will moderate a conversation about the impact AI is already having on Texas businesses and governments and discuss ways to address concerns about accuracy, bias and privacy. Speakers include: Amina Al Sherif , technical engineering lead in machine learning and generative AI, Google , technical engineering lead in machine learning and generative AI, Google Sherri Greenberg , chair, Good Systems—Ethical AI at UT Austin; assistant dean for state and local government engagement, University of Texas at Austin , chair, Good Systems—Ethical AI at UT Austin; assistant dean for state and local government engagement, University of Texas at Austin Angela Wilkins, chief data officer, Starling Medical; member, Texas Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council RSVP today HIDDEN IMAGE The House Select Committee on Securing Texas from Hostile Foreign Organizations will meet at 10 a.m. on July 24. Evaluating hostile foreign organizations’ threats and property acquisition The House State Affairs Committee will meet at 9 a.m. on July 31. The House Select Committee on Youth Health and Safety will meet at 10 a.m. on July 31. View the list of upcoming meeting notices here and here. HIDDEN IMAGE ICYMI, President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 today while campaigning in Las Vegas. tested positive for COVID-19 today while campaigning in Las Vegas. State Rep. Jared Patterson , R-Frisco, accused Attorney General Ken Paxton of abandoning Texas families for putting up a “paltry defense” of his READER Act before the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this year and for letting the deadline pass yesterday for the state to request a second opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court. The Fifth Circuit’s ruling holds that the state cannot enforce the school book law while it’s litigated in court. , R-Frisco, accused Attorney General of abandoning Texas families for putting up a “paltry defense” of his READER Act before the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this year and for letting the deadline pass yesterday for the state to request a second opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court. The Fifth Circuit’s ruling holds that the state cannot enforce the school book law while it’s litigated in court. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett , D-Dallas, finally responded to calls for resignation from some Texas House Republican members and candidates for supporting a bill that could limit former President Donald Trump ’s Secret Service protections. She accused them of white privilege and said that Republican men “go after women.” She also doubled down and defended the proposed legislation. , D-Dallas, finally responded to calls for resignation from some Texas House Republican members and candidates for supporting a bill that could limit former President ’s Secret Service protections. She accused them of white privilege and said that Republican men “go after women.” She also doubled down and defended the proposed legislation. After the Chinese e-commerce platform Temu reached the national consciousness during this year’s Super Bowl with their incessant ads, conservatives in Texas are starting to give it the TikTok treatment. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, former Texas GOP Chair James Dickey, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s David Dunmoyer, former Gregg County GOP Chair Brian Bowden and Travis County GOP Chair Matt Mackowiak have all flagged Temu’s connections to the Chinese Communist Party, to varying degrees, with some calling on Texas lawmakers to take action against the website. Speaking of Mackowiak, the indefatigable party chair appears to be the one behind the Austin Baseball Commission, a new group trying to bring a Major League Baseball Team to town. Mackowiak registered the LLC on June 27. HIDDEN IMAGE Tonight’s Texas speakers on the main stage of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee are U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Amarillo; U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, R-Edinburg; and Gov. Greg Abbott. HIDDEN IMAGE Here’s another type of “On the Move”: The temporary Capitol office of state Sen. Molly Cook, D-Houston, is E1.814. Meanwhile, new Senate Dean Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, has moved into the old office of the previous dean, new Houston Mayor John Whitmire, 1E.13. The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors. Become one. HIDDEN AD HIDDEN IMAGE The honorable mention goes to a Rep. Briscoe Cain post that The Blast won’t link here. But some congrats are in order: HIDDEN IMAGE HIDDEN IMAGE (July 18) State Rep. Suleman Lalani, D-Sugar Land (July 18) Bob Moore, founder and CEO of El Paso Matters SPONSOR MESSAGES Episcopal Health Foundation - See why one of the largest health foundations in Texas is doubling down on its bet to improve health for those most in need. Here’s a hint: it’s not only about seeing a doctor. For government leaders driving transformative experiences, CGI is a trusted partner, bringing more than 40 years of experience, stability and innovation to deliver meaningful transformation. Public schools are at the center of our democracy. Raise Your Hand Texas believes through equity and innovation we can create a world-class school system that fuels a brighter future for all Texans. At BNSF, our commitment to community doesn’t stop at the tracks. In 2022, the BNSF Railway Foundation contributed $1.9M to support Texas communities. [END] --- [1] Url: https://mailchi.mp/texastribune/the-blast-the-financial-state-of-play-july-update Published and (C) by Texas Tribune Content appears here under this condition or license: Used with Permission: https://www.texastribune.org/republishing-guidelines/. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/texastribune/