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RandySF

(58,797 posts)
Mon Oct 26, 2020, 10:30 AM Oct 2020

Michael Bloomberg gives $2.6 million to Texas Democrat running for railroad commissioner

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg has made a late donation of $2.6 million to the Democratic nominee for railroad commissioner, Chrysta Castañeda, providing a massive fundraising boost in a race for the oil and gas regulatory board that usually does not see such big money — or attract much political interest outside Texas.

Bloomberg's contribution helped Castañeda raise $3.5 million on her latest campaign finance report, according to her campaign. The filing covers Sept. 25 through Oct. 26 and is due to the Texas Ethics Commission by the end of the day Monday.

“Chrysta Castañeda will be a champion for Texans — her commitment to improving people’s lives is clear,” Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York who ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for president this year, said in a statement. “I’m glad to support Chrysta in her campaign to be the next Railroad Commissioner, because she has the vision and experience needed to build a safer, healthier, and more environmentally prosperous future for the state of Texas.”

Bloomberg gave $2.625 million total to Castañeda, $2.5 million in direct money and the rest in in-kind contributions, according to her campaign. It said her report will also show she received $500,000 from environmentalist philanthropists Richard and Dee Lawrence, and that the Sierra Club donated $90,000 and has pledged another $125,000.



https://www.texastribune.org/2020/10/26/bloomberg-chrysta-castaneda-railroad-commission/

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Michael Bloomberg gives $2.6 million to Texas Democrat running for railroad commissioner (Original Post) RandySF Oct 2020 OP
Dat's a lot of dough soothsayer Oct 2020 #1
Yaaaaay! SheltieLover Oct 2020 #2
Chrysta Castaeda is fantastic! I was on a zoom call and heard her speak. She is smart, articulate, onetexan Oct 2020 #3
The Texas railroad commissioner regulates the oil and gas industry dlk Oct 2020 #4
Wish he would help out the M. j. Hegar campaign some duforsure Oct 2020 #5
Make Republicans spend what little they have.... Historic NY Oct 2020 #6
Having grown up in Texas I know well the clout this position wields pecosbob Oct 2020 #7
I have only seen ads for her for this position chriscan64 Oct 2020 #8

onetexan

(13,037 posts)
3. Chrysta Castaeda is fantastic! I was on a zoom call and heard her speak. She is smart, articulate,
Mon Oct 26, 2020, 10:37 AM
Oct 2020

knows the oil & gas industry well & is strong and steady. The other 2 members of the RR commission are Republicans. They've held a stronghold on the commission till now. It's time Dems have representation.

dlk

(11,561 posts)
4. The Texas railroad commissioner regulates the oil and gas industry
Mon Oct 26, 2020, 10:41 AM
Oct 2020

It’s a very powerful position. Interesting choice for Bloomberg.

pecosbob

(7,538 posts)
7. Having grown up in Texas I know well the clout this position wields
Mon Oct 26, 2020, 10:52 AM
Oct 2020

This looks to be a sortie launched at the heart of the energy industry. If you want to make war against climate change, this is where you have to go...Texas.

chriscan64

(1,789 posts)
8. I have only seen ads for her for this position
Mon Oct 26, 2020, 10:56 AM
Oct 2020

Her main thrust is to enforce existing laws regarding illegal flaring at fracking sites which releases toxic pollution. She got my vote this morning along with Joe and MJ Hegar.

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