A half-million-dollar contribution from a casino-backed political action committee is raising eyebrows in the Republican runoff for the Railroad Commission of Texas.
A new campaign finance report filed by incumbent Jim Wright show that Texas Sands PAC contributed $500,000 to Wright’s campaign during the runoff period, the largest received by Wright.
The contribution stands out because the Railroad Commission oversees Texas oil and gas regulation and has no direct role in gambling policy.
Texas Sands PAC is behind the years long push to legalize casinos in Texas, backed by casino interests connected to Las Vegas Sands and billionaire donor Miriam Adelson. In recent election cycles, the PAC has become an increasingly powerful force in Texas Republican politics, spending millions in legislative primaries and House leadership fights.
Now, the group appears to be expanding its reach into statewide regulatory races.
Wright faces challenger Bo French in the May 26 Republican runoff. Early voting runs May 18-22.
Wright’s latest filing shows the incumbent raised roughly $1.94 million during the reporting period and spent approximately $1.88 million.
