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Oct 30, 2008 6:57 pm US/Central
Texas Republicans Get Late Infusion Of Cash
AUSTIN (AP) ―
Republican donors have injected a late infusion of cash as Democrats eye a rare takeover of the Texas House.
Records show the GOP donors have infused nearly $1 million into party coffers since Monday. Of that, $275,000 came from New York hedge fund billionaire Paul Singer, while $100,000 came each from Houston homebuilder Bob Perry and Dallas businessman Harold Simmons.
House Speaker Tom Craddick pumped $130,000 into the Texas GOP. The Midland Republican is fighting to keep his leadership job with the support of Republican lawmakers. When combined with the donations he gave earlier this year, Craddick has given about $1.1 million since July 1st to help Republicans keep control of the House.
It wasn't immediately clear where all the late money is going. But in an indication that House seats are in play all over Texas, Grand Prairie Republican Karen Wiegman got $82,000 to buy TV ads and other campaign expenses from the party on Tuesday. She's running against Democratic state Representative Kirk England of Grand Prairie, who switched from the GOP to the Democratic Party and had been considered a relative shoo-in.
Republicans control all statewide offices and both houses of the Legislature in Texas. But this year Democrats have spent a lot of money to try to pick up seats on the state Supreme Court and in the House and Senate.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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