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Leininger lying low — for right now
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Posted by Pete on Jan 21, 2008 - 11:58 PM | Jan. 20, 2008
Houston Chronicle
AUSTIN — James Leininger, the $5 million gorilla in legislative races two years ago, is so far a shadow of his former self as the new election cycle prepares to heat up.
The emphasis is on "so far" because there still is time for the wealthy San Antonio businessman and advocate of private school vouchers to shower favored candidates with about as much money as they can spend.
But reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission suggest Leininger may be off to a slower start than in 2006, when in the Republican primary he helped unseat two House members who had voted against a voucher bill the previous year.
He spent nearly $5 million in the 2005-06 election cycle, only to see vouchers not even come to a vote during the 2007 session.
Leininger contributed $203,000 to Republican officeholders and causes during 2007, more than enough to impress mere mortals. Half of that amount, though, went to Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Attorney General Greg Abbott ($50,000 apiece), neither of whom is on the ballot.
Theories abound
By this time two years ago, Leininger already had established and was rapidly funding the Texas Republican Legislative Campaign Committee, through which he enriched the campaigns of pro-voucher candidates. He hasn't created any committees for this election cycle yet, said spokesman Ken Hoagland.
Maybe Leininger has added up his poor political returns. Maybe he has lost faith in Speaker Tom Craddick's ability to deliver on his cause. Maybe he needs the money for something else. Or, maybe he is writing checks to candidates as I write this.
Hoagland couldn't comment on any speculation but said Leininger "remains passionately dedicated to improving educational opportunities for children." The spokesman also advised to keep an eye on future campaign finance reports.
Coastal Bend politics
One legislative fundraiser set for Thursday in Austin is another signal that one of the Craddick Republicans' top Democratic targets is Rep. Juan Garcia of Corpus Christi.
Garcia unseated former Republican Rep. Gene Seaman in a largely GOP district two years ago, and Republicans believe he is beatable. He is being challenged by former Rep. Todd Hunter, a Democrat-turned-Republican.
Lobbyist Mike Toomey is hosting a fundraiser for Hunter in his office. Former Democratic Reps. Hugo Berlanga of Corpus Christi and Judy Hawley of Portland are co-chairing Hunter's campaign.
Garcia ended 2007 with about $227,000 in his campaign account. His single biggest contributor was San Antonian Charles Butt, the HEB chairman and CEO, a strong public education supporter who gave the Democrat $35,000.
His own re-election isn't Garcia's only political priority this year. He also would like to see his old Harvard Law School buddy, Barack Obama, win the presidency. Garcia went to Iowa a few weeks ago to campaign for the senator.
Travis County DA battle
Four of Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle's assistants, all Democrats, are running to succeed him, now that he isn't seeking re-election.
No Republican filed for the post in the strongly Democratic county, although Republicans have been belly-aching for years about Earle and his public integrity unit, which has prosecuted public officials, Republicans and Democrats alike, for a variety of alleged misdeeds.
One piece of unfinished business is the drawn-out prosecution of former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay over campaign contributions to Republican legislative candidates in 2002.
Earle has endorsed his first assistant, Rosemary Lehmberg. But another assistant, Mindy Montford, has been endorsed by former Govs. Mark White and Dolph Briscoe.
As the daughter of AT&T senior vice president John Montford of San Antonio, Montford has a strong political pedigree. The elder Montford is a former Texas Tech University chancellor, former state senator and former Lubbock County district attorney.
The other candidates for Earle's post are Rick Reed and Gary Cobb.
Old friends
Rep. Kevin Bailey, D-Houston, is under fire from a number of Democrats for his continued support last year of Republican Speaker Tom Craddick. He is being challenged in the Democratic primary by Armando Walle, a former aide to U.S. Rep. Gene Green.
Sen. Mario Gallegos, D-Houston, is a Democratic hero for showing up in Austin last year to help block a voter identification bill during his difficult recuperation from a liver transplant.
So who is going to appear at two fundraisers for Bailey on Feb. 6 and 7 in Austin and Houston? None other than Gallegos. Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, Craddick's speaker pro tem, also will be there. |
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