Lubbock candidates and PACs have raised and spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in an effort to influence voters’ choices in a number of local elections.
Lubbock candidates in contentious local races and political action committees supporting or opposing local ballot measures have collectively raised more than $402,000, according to the most recent campaign finance reports available.
Most candidates for office and political action committees are required by state law to file reports 30 days and eight days before the election. Election day is Tuesday.
On the ballot is a proposal to allow the city of Lubbock to issue $103.4 million in bonds to address seven road construction projects in the city. The Lubbock Road Bond PAC 2024, with Jordan Wheatley as treasurer, has raised $164,000 and spent about $100,000 in an effort to get the bond passed, according to the PAC’s 30- and eight-day reports.
Major contributions to the Road Bond PAC include $20,000 from the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, $16,000 from the West Texas Home Builders Association and $7,500 each from City Bank and Clay Cash.
The PAC has also received thousands of contributions from engineering and construction firms that could benefit from the bond’s approval, including Freese and Nichols, HDR Inc., the Parkhill PAC, CobbFendley, Teinert Construction, Hugo Reed and Associates and JL Elliot Construction. among others.
Councilwoman Jennifer Wilson contributed $2,500 to the PAC, Councilman Tim Collins gave $1,000, and Councilman Brayden Rose’s campaign also gave $1,000.
The majority of the PAC’s expenditures went to advertising and consulting.
The newly formed Conservative Action Network PAC is working against the city’s road bond, with Deanne Clark as treasurer. In its eight-day report, the group reported $1,775 in contributions and $1,520 in expenses.
Frenship ISD is asking voters to consider three proposals, including a tax rate election and two bonds totaling $200 million, including funding for two new elementary schools. The Frenship Communities PAC supports the band. The Avalanche-Journal has not identified any organized opposition.
The Frenship Communities PAC raised $172,800 and spent $99,410, according to its 30- and eight-day reports.
The Frenship PAC’s significant contributions are led by $50,000 from the Wolff PAC, with L. Scott Mann as treasurer. The Wolff PAC lists a single contribution in its 30-day report: a $50,000 donation from Lee Lewis Construction.
The Frenship PAC has also raised $14,000 from the West Texas Home Builders Association, $10,000 from Lubbock Land Management and $7,500 each from the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce and City Bank.
