New campaign finance reports released ahead of the March primaries reveal the gambling lobby is still fighting for candidates—despite the industry taking major losses last year.
Texas Sands PAC supported 17 Republican candidates and nine Democrat candidates according to its most recent campaign finance report. The PAC is connected to Las Vegas Sands, which has not operated a casino in the U.S. since 2021, and derives more than half of its profits from Sands China.
Among its supported candidates is Nathan Watkins, who is running against incumbent Republican State Rep. Terri Leo-Wilson for the 23rd District seat in the Texas House of Representatives. Leo-Wilson is one of the most conservative members of the Texas House, according to multiple rankings.
Jackie Schlegel, a Republican running in the open race for House District 94, has Texas Sands PAC’s support. Last week, she was found liable by a jury of trademark infringement, violating a non-disclosure agreement, and breaching her fiduciary duty due to her actions while holding a board member position of the nonprofit Texans for Vaccine Choice.
Republican candidate Willie Ng, who is running against incumbent Mark Dorazio (R–San Antonio) for House District 122, also received support from Texas Sands PAC.
Nathan Johnson, a state senator now running for the Democrat nomination for attorney general, received $5,000 from Texas Sands PAC.
The full list of candidates receiving support from Texas Sands includes:
Carol Alvarado (D)
John H. Bucy III (D)
Angie Button (R)
Terry Canales (D)
Paul Dyson (R)
Charlie Geren (R)
Cody Harris (R)
Todd Hunter (R)
Nathan Johnson (D)
Ann Johnson (D)
Ken King (R)
Jeff Leach (R)
John McQueeney (R)
Joe Moody (D)
Angelia Orr (R)
Jared Patterson (R)
Richard Raymond (D)
Ramon Romero (D)
Toni Rose (D)
Senfronia Thompson (D)
Erin Zwiener (D)
Ryan Guillen (R)
Stan Kitzman (R)
Janie Lopez (R)
Willie Ng (R)
Jackie Schlegel (R)
Nathan Watkins (R)
Las Vegas Sands also funds #ProjectRedTx, which supported nearly 90 candidates for local government positions.
Texas Defense PAC, another spending arm of Texas Sands, did not report any additional spending after unsuccessfully using $200,955 to help former Southlake Mayor John Huffman in the special election for Senate District 9. Shortly after Huffman’s defeat, Gov. Greg Abbott said he is “not there yet” on casino legalization, citing concerns over addiction.
Primary elections will be held on March 3, 2026.
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