Thomas, Dealey top fund raisers in District 10 race

While candidates in less moneyed districts have to work mightily to bring in funding for their campaigns, heavy hitters in the District 10 race are raising and loaning themselves considerable war chests. The district stretches from Tarrytown to US 183, and boasts some of the highest voter turnout precincts in the city.

Attorney and entrepreneur Robert Thomas has lent his campaign $100,000, and raised $52,279 in contributions. At the time of the report, Thomas had $51,879 in funds on hand. That money includes contributions from Downtown Austin Alliance’s Charles Betts, attorney and Travis County Republican Vice Chair Roger Borgelt, Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty, Capra & Cavelli owner Jeff Friedman, Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights director Lowell Keig, Thunderbird Coffee owner Ryan McElroy and former AISD Board President Mark Williams.

Former Planning Commissioner Mandy Dealey has raised $50,295 so far, with $35,463 remaining on hand. Dealey’s contributors include Democratic stalwart Ginny Agnew, lobbyist Clyde Alexander, Anderson’s Coffee owner James Anderson, neighborhood advocate Joyce Basciano, Planning Commissioner Danette Chimenti, Linda Guerrero, former Planning Commissioner Saundra Kirk, Carroll Martin, Annie’s List Executive Director Patsy Woods Martin, Joe Pinnelli, Jacqui Schraad, former 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Bea Ann Smith and Ted and Melba Whatley.

Former Real Estate Council of Austin board member and 2002 Commissioners Court candidate Sherri Gallo has raised $45,158 thus far, with $33,042 remaining on hand. Her supporters include the Austin Apartment Association PAC Committee, Ann S. Butler, attorney Kareem Hajjar, and current Travis County Commissioner and former Mayor Bruce Todd and his wife, public relations consultant Elizabeth Christian.

Zoning and Platting Commissioner Jason Meeker has raised $10,550 so far. All of that money remains, though he has spent an additional $3,267 of his own money on the campaign. Fellow commissioner Patricia Seeger has contributed to his campaign, as has ChangeAustin founder Brian Rodgers, and attorney Brad Rockwell.

Small business owner Margie Burciaga, whose contributors include Trammel Crow partners Shirley and Stuart Crow, has raised $12,841 so far. She has loaned her own campaign $5,000 and has $6,775 remaining on hand.

Matt Lamon has raised $9,475 so far, with $5,029 remaining on hand. Lamon, who is the chief of staff for State Rep. J.M. Lorenzo (R-Kingsville) has lent his own campaign $5,000.

Entrepreneur Tina Cannon has raised $11,716 so far, with $2,738 remaining on hand. This is her second race, having challenged Council Member Bill Spelman in 2012.

Bill Worsham, director of coastal engineering at LJA Engineering, has raised $10,510 and has $10,021 on hand. He reported spending about $4700 of his own money on the election so far.