Phelan Runoff Race Breaks Record for Highest Spending in Texas History
AUSTIN, Texas: The runoff race against Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan is making history, marked by the highest spending ever seen in a Texas house race. Phelan, a confirmed figure in local politics, finds himself at the center of a contention backed by record-breaking financial firepower.
Club for Growth Throws Down Financial Gauntlet
Club for Growth Action, an anti-tax organization, launched a new ad campaign featuring Phelan’s former primary opponent, Alicia Davis. The group accuses Phelan of failing to heed voters’ voices, pointing out the fallout of a school voucher bill that sought to channel taxpayer dollars towards private schools.
Club for Growth Action pulled no punches in their campaign, shelling out over $1 million on anti-Phelan TV ads. “We want to see Gov. Abbott’s bills passed and we want a new speaker who will fight hard for it,” exhorted David McIntosh, the organization’s president.
Backdrop of Bipartisanship Strikes Chord with Locals
Despite the assault of negative publicity, some residents of Phelan’s home district view his bipartisanship favorably. “Has he worked across the aisle? Yes. But that’s what makes us Texas and not Washington D.C,” opined Joe Evans, chair of the Jefferson County Republican Party.
To date, the contentious House District 21 race has seen nearly $6 million in expenditures, setting an unprecedented record in state history. Evans and others believe the money being poured into the race diverts from Phelan’s achievements during his tenure. “Because we have Speaker Phelan at the helm of things, we’re at the forefront when it comes to funding for highways, when it comes to funding for public ed,” said Evans.
No Certain Outcome in Sight as Campaign Heat Increases
Despite the hefty financial pressures mounted against him, political experts suggest that a shift in voter favor due to campaign dollars is unlikely. “The ads can do a good job of mobilizing people to vote for who they’re interested in but if somebody changes their vote choice strictly based on a 30-second ad from a not very well-known source our republic is in real trouble if that happens a lot,” noted James Nelson, a professor of political science at Lamar University.
Despite a high likelihood of a narrow margin deciding the race outcome, Phelan’s adversaries are not deterred. “We found in other races when our candidate doesn’t win the person comes back and they’re much more willing to follow their constituents,” disclosed McIntosh.
Even now, in the final stretch leading up to the May 28 runoff, the political battlefield continues to shake with further spending anticipated. Since the primary election, $2.6 million has already been defaulted to the race, marking it undeniably as the race that broke the bank in Texas political history.
