Longview News Journal
Merritt's opponent gets big donation
Political action committee gives Williams $165,000

By PATRINA A. BOSTIC

Thursday, February 09, 2006

Republican Mark Williams raised more than $175,000 between Dec. 31 and Jan. 26 — including more than $165,000 from one Central Texas political action committee, according to his most recent campaign finance report.

Williams is trying to knock out fellow Republican Tommy Merritt, who is seeking his six term as state representative. The two face off in the March 7 primary.

Merritt raised just more than $25,000 between Dec. 31 and Jan. 26 and had about $86,000 on hand at the end of that period, according to his campaign report, filed this week. Williams had about $11,000 at the end of the period, according to his report.

The Texas Republican Legislative Campaign Committee was formed specifically to back Williams, Wayne Christian, Nathan Macias and Van Wilson, all Republican state representatives. The committee reported one political contribution from Dec. 31 to Jan. 26 for $500,000. That came from Dr. James Leininger, a San Antonio physician and strong backer of conservative Republicans.

The Quorum Report Editor Harvey Kronberg said in a state representative race in rural Texas, donors usually raise between $60,000 and $100,000 in a well-funded campaign. The Quorum Report is an Austin-based online newsletter covering Texas politics and government.

"I've been doing this since 1989, and I have seen groups of people dominate an election, but I have never seen an individual run five elections out of his PAC (political action committee)," said Kronberg, who writes political analysis. "In each case, the candidate has gotten over 90 percent of their contribution from Dr. Leininger, and apparently they don't even trust the candidates to spend the money themselves.

"The campaigns have received a little money, but overwhelmingly it is being sent to one media operation," Kronberg said. "The PAC has directly bought the television and radio (announcements), the direct mail and treated it as an in-kind contribution.

"Mr. Williams may be a fine person, but he clearly is not running his own campaign," Kronberg said. "We are all used to seeing money coming from around Texas to a representative race, but I don't think I've ever seen a campaign so totally dependent on a single contributor."

Leininger gave Williams $633.34 for volunteer recruitment and coordination and grass roots consulting.

Williams raised just more than $10,000 from about 60 other people and groups, including two people outside of Texas and one person outside of East Texas. That donor, Houston home builder Bob Perry, is a significant backer for Republican Party efforts in Texas. He gave Williams $5,000.

Williams said he has never met or spoken to Leininger, but is proud to have his support. He said he decided to run for the office after local Republicans encouraged him to take on the challenge.

"There is a great team behind all of his," Williams said of how the in-kind contributions are paid. "(And) we are very pleased with the local support financially, and we are very pleased with all of our volunteers. We are getting very good response from all the doors we are knocking on."

He said he doesn't believe the PAC has an issue with trusting the candidates it supports.

"Not at all," he said.

Williams said the television, radio and flier campaign material all are approved by him before the public sees them.

Merritt said his contributions are in line with what he has received during past campaigns. He said about 70 percent of his campaign contributions are from within the district and (are) received from representatives and people who live within the district. Merritt's largest contribution of $5,000, during the last reporting period, came from the Texas State Teachers Association PAC. Two others for $2,000 each came from ACT for Texas Classroom Teachers Association and from Neal Hawthorn of Longview.

"Who is funding his campaign? Is it local individuals or a specific PAC," Merritt said of Williams. "It's not a diverse group. It's one individual."

Merritt said he's proud of his record.

"I think that I have the local support for my reelection. I've always represented Gregg County and the northern half of Smith County and listened to my constituents and voted my district," he said.

Williams said in his "interpretation of the (campaign finance) report, we have considerable more local donors than Mr. Merritt does and they have raised more money locally than he has.

"Obviously we are thrilled with that," Williams said.