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

[TexasTowelie]

by Patrick Svitek, Texas Tribune


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 $3.7 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.

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

[Sucha NastyWoman]

1. Way to go Michael Bloomberg!

[mopinko]

2. it's these downticket races that fuel tsunamis.

that's what happened in '18.

[BigmanPigman]

3. Thank you...you kept your word Bloomberg,

what a rarity these days.

[Upthevibe]

4. Yes! n/t

[Susan Calvin]

5. I assume he wouldn't do that if he didn't think she had a chance. nt

[northoftheborder]

6. That's fantastic, surprising! An important office that is often ignored. Most people don't know

what the Railroad Commissioner does.