Freshman legislators build campaign war chests

July 20--Abilenians opened their pocketbooks to their freshman legislators, according to campaign contributions reported for the first half of this year.

First-term state Rep. Stan Lambert collected $49,000 in contributions during the period, while state Sen. Dawn Buckingham, also serving her first term, raised $76,153.

Lambert, who has announced plans to run for re-election next year, had $60,144 in his campaign account as of June 30, according to a report filed earlier this week with the Texas Ethics Commission.

From Jan. 1 to June 30, he spent $24,576, according to the report. Lambert represents Jones, Nolan and Taylor counties.

Buckingham, R-Lakeway, reported spending $89,488.

Her cash on hand at the end of June was $332,387; however, she had outstanding loans of $1.02 million from her 2016 Republican primary and general election campaigns. She will be up for re-election in 2020.

State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, who represents a portion of Taylor County and most of the Big Country, reported raising $11,100 and has cash on hand of $533,227.

Abilene and political action committee contributions to Lambert were:

Dr. and Mrs. Norm Archibald, $250

Jane Beard, $5,000

John Beckham, $1,000

Mr. and Mrs. Tucker Bridwell, $10,000

Mr. and Mrs. Ron Butler, $1,000

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ed Canon, $2,500

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Denny, $1,000

Scott Dueser, $1,000

HillCo PAC, Austin, $1,000

IBAT PAC, Austin, $1,000

Mr. and Mrs. Tim Lancaster, $2,500

Kade Matthews, $2,500

PAC of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas, $250

Dian Graves Stai, $10,000

TEXPAC, $250

TREPAC/Texas Association of Realtors, $2,500

Texans for Lawsuit Reform, $2,500

Mr. and Mrs. Sam Vinson, $1,000

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Washburn, $500

Wholesale Beer Distributors of Texas, $500

Local and PAC contributions to Buckingham were:

Jane Beard, $5,000

Tucker Bridwell, $10,000

Joseph Canon, $1,500

Delisi Communications PAC, Austin, $1,000

Hillco PAC, Austin, $1,000

HomePAC of Texas, Austin, $1,000

IBAT PAC, Austin, $1,000

Kade Matthews, $2,500

Dian Graves Stai, $15,000

TAPA PAC, Austin, $1,000

Texans for Lawsuit Reform, Austin, $5,000

Texas Alliance for Life PAC, Austin, $100

Texas Association of Realtors PAC, Austin, $5,000

Texas Land Title Association PAC, Austin, $5,000

Texas Medical Association PAC, Austin, $500

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