Earlier this today, at Capitol Annex, we told you about some of the big-money donors and "establishment folks" that would-be Senate candidate Mikal Watts has amassed support from during the first month of his senate exploration, including:
Frederick M. Baron, Dallas; $2,300 (Baron & Budd)
Robert A. Black, Beaumont; $2,300 (Former Pres. State Bar of Texas)
Frank Branson, Dallas; $2,300 (Former DNC Trustee; Finance Chair, Clinton For President)
Curtis E. Clinesmith, Denton; $250 (Attorney, Funding behind online e-zine, The Texas Blue)
Joseph Deshotel, Beaumont; $1,000 (Attorney; State Representative)
A. Craig Eiland, Galveston; $2,300 (State Rep.)
Frank Herrera, San Antonio; $2,300 (Legendary San Antonio Attorney)
Joel Salazar, P.C., Houston; $2,300 (Houston Attorney, Legal Commentator for Telemundo & Univision)
Franklin Jones, Marhsall; $2,300 (Co-Founder, College of the State Bar of Texas)
Brian Loncar, Dallas; $2,300 (Personal Injury Attorney, famous for his TV commercials)
Carl Parker, Port Arthur; $1,000 (former state senator, trial lawyer)
Rchard E. Raymond, Laredo; $2,300 (State Representative)
Thomas John Ward, Jr., Longview; $2,300 (son of Federal District Judge T. John Ward, Eastern District of Texas)
The vast majority of Watts' donations, as we noted, were $2,300 donations--the federal maximum.
In light of that, and the fact that the Texas Netroots all week has been promoting efforts to help people-powered candidate Rick Noriega, we wanted to share with you a snip from the Watts' campaign's press release announcing his fund-raising totals released earlier this month:
"People are investing in our campaign because they are demanding change and they know that I am someone who will fight for our interests here in Texas and not the special interests in Washington."
In light of Watts' FEC report, that's actually an amusing statement. Why?
First of all, the vast majority of Watts' donations came from one specific group of people: trial attorneys. Now, we at Capitol Annex are the very last people to engage in trial lawyer bashing (in fact, we think they do a great job defending Texans from injustices). However, these donations show nothing near what Watts' camp says they do:
"Mikal's incredible feat of raising over a million dollars in just 30 days and the strong support it represents from around the state, is one more indicator that Texans are demanding a change in Washington and they believe that Mikal Watts is the best person to have all the resources necessary to run a competitive, successful campaign against Cornyn," continued Devlin.
First, let's take issue with that "across the state" line. A significant amount of Watts' donations came from San Antonio and (more so) Corpus Christi—where he maintains law offices.
Second (and this ties the two quotes together), the money he raised really doesn't represent a strong showing from Texans across the state—it represents a strong showing from one specific group of people: trial lawyers.
There weren't too many "average Texans" included in Watts' lists (because, of course, the average Texan cannot write a $500, $1,000 or $2,300 check to a candidate who is merely 'exploring' a run for U.S. Senate).
That typical donors like Fred Baron and Frank Branson showed up on Watts list says something else: the behind-the-scenes Democratic money establishment has already decided that Mikal Watts is their candidate—even though he holds decidedly un-Democratic positions on issues like a woman's right to choose.
It's time for a PEOPLE-POWERED candidate who will fight for ALL PEOPLE. Rick Noriega is that candidate.
Please become one of the first 800 people to help Rick Noriega today. Any amount—from $1.00 up—will help Rick Noriega know he has the support he needs from everyone.
This race isn't about who can collect the most $2,300 checks. It's about who has the most support. Show your support for Rick today!