Posted on 02/05/2003 9:40:27 AM PST by Theodore R.
Pair dominates District 19 fund raising By JOHN FUQUAY
AVALANCHE-JOURNAL In a wide-open race for the congressional seat to represent Lubbock in Washington, two candidates are beginning to distinguish themselves from a dozen or so others — at least in terms of fund raising.
Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock, has raised about $450,000, and Mike Conaway, R-Midland, has surpassed $200,000, according to representatives from both campaign camps.
In the most recent campaign finance reporting period, state Rep. Carl Isett and Texas Tech law professor Vickie Sutton were the only other candidates to declare contributions. Both candidates are Republicans from Lub- bock.
Thirteen potential candidates have indicated a serious interest in the race, although none has yet to file with the Texas Secretary of State's Office for a place on the May 3 ballot. Candidates have until April 2 to file.
"A lot of people could be raising money, but if they don't file for a place on the ballot then they can't be a candidate," said Morris Wilkes, a Lubbock political consultant.
"Ultimately we won't know who all the players are until 30 days before the election, but about what I expected was 10 to 15 candidates," said Wilkes, who is not representing anyone in the race.
The election is to name a successor to U.S. Rep. Larry Combest, R-Lubbock. Because there is no primary, anyone from any party may file to appear on the ballot. Combest resigned shortly after last year's November election.
The first campaign reporting period ended Dec. 31, but the reports weren't due until last Friday. The reports show money raised by campaign committees registered with the Federal Election Commission.
Neugebauer, a real estate de vel oper, reported contributions of $311,000; Conaway, a certified public accountant, reported $48,000; Sutton had $18,000, and Isett reported $16,500.
Neugebauer's total included a $150,000 personal loan, and Conaway gave himself $20,000. Since December, each candidate has raised about $150,000 of additional funds.
Several other candidates have registered their campaign committees with the FEC but had no contributions to report as of Dec. 31. They include:
• Bill Christian, R-Midland
• Mike Egger, D-Lubbock
• Kaye Gaddy, D-Odessa
• David Langston, R-Lubbock
• Donald May, R-Lubbock
• Carroll Thomas, R-Midland.
Three other candidates, Richard Bartlett, R-Midland, Jamie Berryhill, R-Odessa, and Larry Johnson, L-Lubbock, have made public announcements or issued written statements to declare their candidacy, but none has filed with the FEC.
Wilkes said the race could cost up to $1 million, but individual campaign strategies will ultimately determine how much the seat will cost.
"It will cost whatever a candidate raises or puts into it," he said. "I think $1 million would be the top end, but it could be that no one raises more than $600,000 or $700,000.
"It's hard to say what the pace should be. Fund raising is something candidates should be doing every day right up to election day."
How the candidates spend their money depends on where they stand in polls and the strength of their name recognition, Wilkes said. He said he expects at least some of the candidates to soon begin advertising.
If no one wins more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two candidates will vie in a runoff.
jfuquay@lubbockonline.com 766-8722
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