Big backers place their bets for Gov's race

[Dover]

Big backers place their bets for Gov's race
BY AMY SMITH

Big business and home-building interests represented the lion's share of contributions to Gov. Rick Perry's campaign coffers in June, while trial lawyers and racetrack interests put their money on Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn in the governor's race.
The latest campaign filings with the Texas Ethics Commission show Perry out-raised his Republican rival during a 10-day period in June, with the incumbent raking in $2.3 million to Strayhorn's $1.5 million – a personal best for Strayhorn, according to her campaign. Perry enters the new reporting cycle with $8 million in the bank while Strayhorn's cash on hand totals $7 million.

Most of Perry's donations hailed from the usual sources. San Antonio archconservative millionaire James Leininger contributed $50,000, as did Dallas business tycoon H. Ross Perot, and Austin philanthropist/former Dell executive Mort Topfer. Houston home-builder Bob Perry (no relation) and wife Doylene Perry kicked in $100,000.

Strayhorn took in several large contributions from trial lawyers, including Beaumont attorney Walter Umphrey, who gave $100,000. Horse breeders and racetrack operators also gave generously, thanks to Strayhorn's support of expanding the state's gambling options to include slot machines at racetracks. Contributions from this base included $25,000 from horse breeder and Schlotzsky's chairman Bobby Cox, and $25,000 apiece from Dallas real estate magnate Trammell Crow and son Harlan Crow. The Crow real estate portfolio has included stakes in racetracks over the years...cont'd

http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2005-07-22/pols_naked4.html

[PDittie]

1. Umphrey used to be a Democratic supporter

Ann Richards even put him on the Parks Department board when she was governor, for all the money he gave her (and other Democrats).

I wonder if he is a Republican now (or maybe he just thinks he's being pragmatic).

[crispini]

2. The Schlotzky's dude is a Repub?

Good thing I don't eat there much there anymore. :(