The latest campaign finance reports were due on Tuesday. Because of a technical glitch with the Texas Ethics Commission’s reporting tool, we are not able to review the reports for the District Attorney and Texas House District 77 reports until late in the day. Here is what we found in them.
District Attorney
Nancy Casas reported accepting $27,388.04 in campaign contributions and spending $51,711.80 in her latest campaign report. Cases’ largest contributor was Felix M. Casas for $2,000 in two contributions. Her largest expense was $30,452.14 to Y Strategy LLC for consulting fees.
James Montoya, who lost to Yvonne Rosales in the July 2020 runoff election, reported raising $45,634.35 and spending $26,049.67. Montoya’s largest contribution was $3,500 from James Rey. Montoya’s largest expense was $9,077.50 paid to canvassers.
Alma Trejo reported raising $18,594.75 and spending $28,415.96. Trejo’s largest contributors were Mary Herrera and Wyatt & Underwood for $2,500 each. Trejo’s largest expense was $13,206 for consulting fees. Trejo also reported making a loan to her campaign for $10,000.
Bill Hicks, who is running as a Republican, was appointed as the District Attorney by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in December 2022 after Yvonne Rosales resigned. Hicks does not have an opponent in the Primary and will face off against Democrats Casas, Montoya or Trejo in November depending on the outcome of the March Primary. According to Hick’s latest campaign report, he raised $11,411.81 and spent $8,851.80. Hick’s largest contributor was Salvador Perches for $2,500. His largest expense was $3,000 for renting a hall at the Double Tree Hotel for his political announcement party.
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Texas House District 77
Alexsandra Annello reported raising $26,522 in campaign contributions and spending $7,348.98. According to her campaign report, Annello’s largest contributors were Shane Edmondson and the Mary Gonzalez Campaign for $2,500 each. Annello’s largest expense was $3,000 for “wages” to an individual.
Vince Perez filed his campaign finance report yesterday morning, one day late. El Paso News reached out to him for an explanation. Perez told us that it was his fault because he thought the report was due by midnight El Paso time, instead of Austin when it was due. Perez provided us with a copy of the report he filed yesterday.
According to Perez’ report, he received $56,628.26 in campaign contributions and spent $38,911.74. Perez’ largest contributor was Paul Foster and Woody Hunt for $5,000 each. His largest expense was for canvassers. Perez also reported making a $20,000 loan to his campaign.
Homer Reza reported raising $2,000 and spending $685.64. Reza’s only contribution was $2,000 from Gabriel Reza who lives in Houston according to the report. Reza’s largest expense was for a voter list for text messaging for $685.64.
Norma Chavez Faces $500 Fine
As we originally reported, two reports were due before the latest reports. The first report was due on December 7 and the second report was due the 15th of this month. The reports are Special Legislative Sessions Reports that are required when the governor calls a special session of the legislature.
The two reports covered the period between October 5 and December 5. As originally reported, the campaign finance reports include only campaign contributions and not the expenses. These reports are in addition to the January 16 reports. The contributions reported in the latest reports that fall during the dates when the legislators were in special session should have been included in the December 7 and January 4 reports.
Alexsandra Annello and Vince Perez filed their special session reports timely. Norma Chavez did not.
According to an advisory by the Texas Ethics Commission, the Special Session Reports are required of “candidates for the legislature.” Norma Chavez is running for the legislature as a candidate for District 77.
As of this morning, Chavez has not filed the required Special Session report due on January 4.
Chavez failed to report $15,760, plus $4,500 of in-kind contributions during the special session reporting period. The $20,260 represents 63% of the total contributions Chavez raised in this reporting period.
The Texas Ethics Commission states that “the minimum civil penalty for filing a late special session report is $500.”
According to Chavez’ report, she raised $31,830 and spent $13,303. Chavez’ largest contributor was JP Bryan for $5,000. Her largest expense was for printing costs.
Perez Outraises Opponents
Going into the final month of the election season for the March Primaries, Vince Perez leads opponents Annello and Chavez in campaign funds and cash on hand for his campaign. Perez reported $30,373.26 left in his campaign while Annello reported having $19,173.02 and Chavez trails far behind with $8,639.08. Perez outraised Annello and Chavez during this reporting period.
Disclosure
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