Campaign Finance

Reform Austin is dedicated to increasing transparency by engaging and educating taxpayers about what goes on behind the doors of our state Capitol. Our mission is to ensure our elected leaders are working for the public good. 
Campaign finance is all about money in politics and the corrupting influence it has. Reform Austin provides investigative reporting on who is funding campaigns, how much candidates are receiving, and how it influences votes. This includes the millions of dollars in special interest cash that pour into campaign coffers, and the lobbyists and political action committees (PACs) who contribute with the expectation that legislators will vote for them, rather than for their constituents. 
Campaign finance reports are filed semi-annually with the Texas Ethics Commission and are made available to the public. During election years, candidates must file two additional pre-election reports: one 30 days prior and one eight days prior to an election. 
These reports are comprised of total political contributions (the total amount of money a candidate or officeholder raised in the last six months), total expenditures (the total amount of money a candidate or officeholder spent in the last six months), and cash on hand (the total amount of money a candidate has to spend).
Contributions tell us who donated to a candidate or officeholder. They often speak to the motivations the person might have should they be elected. 
Reform Austin also reports on legislation, laws, and reforms concerning campaign finance, such as closing loopholes in the moratorium to give taxpayers more confidence in their representatives. Elected officials should be looking out for us, not their big donors.

What US Senate Races Have Received Texas Money?

This election cycle Texas has been sparing no expense. And while top-of-the-ticket races are taking a lot of the oxygen, Texans seem...

Cynthia Flores won't listen to Texans

As long as the business lobbyists have their deals and willing politicians like Cynthia Flores, our taxes will go up and our services will suffer.

Top 10 Texas PACs With the Most Cash on Hand

After a very expensive 2020 general election fight over control of the Texas House, many political committees drained out much of their...

Texas Democrats Are Winning The Fundraising Game

There are many ways to judge how well a political race is going before voters actually head to the polls. One of...

How Much Did Beto O’Rourke Raise In 2022?

The Democratic candidate for governor set a new precedent for Texan politicians, with a staggering $27.6 million from February through June. He...

Never A Perfect Candidate: Criminally Indicted Attorney General Ken Paxton

When comparing the 2022 statewide races to 2018’s, we see a clear uptick in fundraising from most statewide races. What has changed...

Speaking statistically, this GOP donor wants to convince you that money buys justice in...

Salem Abraham in his office on Dec. 19, 2019. David Bowser for The Texas Tribune. CANADIAN — To tell...

Mike Schofield is financed by a man accused of sexually harassing his employee

If dirty money is enough for these elected officials to turn a blind eye to their moral obligations, what else will they look the other way for?

Matt Rinaldi doesn't listen to Texans

We won’t get the consumer protection we deserve- on insurance, from utilities, from corporations; As long as the business lobbyists have their deals and willing politicians like Matt Rinaldi.

Sam Harless doesn't listen to Texans

As long as the business lobbyists have their deals and willing politicians like Sam Harless, public officials won’t vote in favor of their constituents.

Campaign Finance Must Read