Two more losing candidates from last year’s election have filed suit, alleging that campaign money was used illegally by a Republican special interest group.
Paul Clayton of Orange and Mike Head of Athens claim Texans for a Republican Majority violated state campaign laws by not reporting “all the money contributed to and expended” on behalf of the plaintiffs’ winning Republican opponents.
Texans for a Republican Majority had a state political action committee that made donations to candidates and spent money on their behalf. But federal IRS filings showed that at least another $500,000 in corporate donations were raised to cover committee administrative expenses, which included polling and fund-raising.
Texans for a Republican Majority is, of course, the same Tom DeLay-founded group that Travis County DA Ronnie Earle has been investigating. I’m not sure why these candidates waited so long to file, instead of taking quick action like some others – maybe the recent ruling that the Texas Association of Business’ membership list isn’t a protected secret helped convince them they have a shot. I dunno. I’m rooting for them, of course, but I’d put better odds on a Sharpton-Lieberman ticket in 2004.
Thanks to Alfredo Garcia for the heads-up.