(U of H Board Chairman) Tilman Fertitta's (recent) political donations

"And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home."
Luke 16:9

It's not a secret, between the land grab and the Tom Herman hire, that those within U of H circles are livid with UT.  We were still struck by a rather...bold...comment from U of H Board Chairman Tilman Fertitta following the Herman hire.  That got us thinking: If Tilman Fertitta starts making phone calls around the legislature next session, who's likely to listen?!?

We reviewed Texas "Ethics" Commission data for the past two election cycles.  Fertitta appears to be a pretty typical big money donor in that he donates to everyone regardless of ideology.  For the most part, he donates within Harris County, although there are some interesting ones outside of the area as well.

Results are mostly presented in the order in which they appear on the "Ethics" commission website.  The primary exception is that we moved statewide officials to the top of the list.  Former members of the legislature who will not return next session have been excluded.

The list:

• Greg Abbott: $404,000

• Dan Patrick: $189,723
• Author's Note: To his credit, Fertitta gave to Patrick during the 2014 primary but does not appear to have given to David Dewhurst.

• Ken Paxton: $25,000
• Note: Again, to his credit, he gave to Paxton during the 2014 runoff but does not appear to have given to Dan Branch.

• Glenn Hegar: $50,000

• George P. Bush: $15,000

• Joe Straus: $35,000

• Joan Huffman: $25,000

• Carol Alvarado: $19,700
• Author's Note: Yes, that Carol Alvarado.

• John Whitmire: $45,000

• Senfonia Thompson: $3,500

• Craig Goldman: $1,000

• Ana Hernandez: $2,000

• Dennis Paul: $1,000

• Charles Schwertner: $3,500

• Dan Huberty: $2,000

• Kelly Hancock: $12,500

• Gene Wu: $2000

• Donna Campbell: $3,500

• Sylvia Garcia: $5,000

• Van Taylor: $2,500

• Konni Burton: $2,500

• Paul Bettencourt: $7,500

• Trent Ashby: $1,000

• Charles Perry: $2,500

• John Zerwas: $2,500
• Author's Note: House Higher ed committee chairman last session.

• Byron Cook: $2,500

• Alma Allen: $2,000

• Lyle Larson: $1,000

• Brian Birdwell: $3,500

• Todd Hunter: $2,500

• Chuy Hinojosa: $1,000

• Will Metcalf: $1,000

• Jose Menendez: $1,000

• John Keumpel: $1,000

• Sarah Davis: $1,000

• Phil King: $2,000

• Garnet Coleman: $2,000

• Jim Murphy: $2,000

• Oscar Longoria: $1,000

• Mike Schofield: $2,000

• Hubert Vo: $2,000

• Jane Nelson: $2,500

• Armando Walle: $1,000

• Dennis Bonnen: $3,500

• Craig Estes: $2,500

• Ed Thompson: $1,000

• Robert Nichols: $1,000

• Larry Taylor: $5,000

• Dwayne Bohac: $1,000

• Geanie Morrison: $1,000

• Lois Kolkhorst: $2,500

• Travis Clardy: $2,000

• Charlie Geren: $1,000

• Dan Flynn: $2,000
• Author's Note: Oh, fun....