Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Catching up with SuperPACs in Texas

What is a SuperPAC?

Super PACs are a relatively new type of committee that arose following the July 2010 federal court decision in a case known as SpeechNow.org v. Federal Election Commission.

Technically known as independent expenditure-only committees, super PACs may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations and individuals, then spend unlimited sums to overtly advocate for or against political candidates. Unlike traditional PACs, super PACs are prohibited from donating money directly to political candidates, and their spending must not be coordinated with that of the candidates they benefit. Super PACs are required to report their donors to the Federal Election Commission on a monthly or semiannual basis — the super PAC's choice — in off-years, and monthly in the year of an election.

As of October 11, 2023, 2,476 groups organized as super PACs have reported total receipts of $2,737,855,088 and total independent expenditures of $1,365,427,889 in the 2021-2022 cycle.


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From the Texas Tribune: 

- Primary threats loom over House Republicans as lawmakers again consider school vouchers.

- Pro-Paxton group gives $3 million to impeachment trial judge Dan Patrick.

- Texas Democrats aim for unity ahead of expected primary to take on U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.

- Cryptocurrency traders’ super PACs give $2 million boost to state Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s congressional run.

- U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's reelection bid received a big cash assist from national Republicans late in campaign.