What the Campaign Finance Reports Reveal About the May 1 Election

SAN ANGELO, TX — The campaign finance reports were due Friday, April 24, at 5 p.m. and all but three candidates in the City of San Angelo May 1 election cycle submitted a report. The finance reports give insights into who is financially backing each candidate and where the campaigns are spending their campaign cash.

In the mayoral election, incumbent Mayor Brenda Gunter leads the pack in fundraising and expenditures. Gunter loaned her campaign $15,000 and then received $17,325 in total donations. Her largest donation from an individual was for $2,000. Most of her donations were less than $500.

Gunter spent $14,272.03 on marketing and advertising through McLaughlin Advertising. For transparency’s sake, this media outlet received an advertising buy for $1,110 through McLaughlin.

Dietrick Tillis raised $2,875 from five donors. He spent $1,880.44 for marketing his campaign, primarily for signage at Q’s Printing. He also spent $570 to a Virginia consulting company to provide “campaign text messaging.”

Mayoral candidate Silvara Lawson did not turn in a report by the deadline Friday. This may or may not be an issue depending upon how much money the Lawson campaign raised or spent. The Texas Ethics Commission allows for a modified reporting procedure if the campaign stays under $930 in contributions or expenses. If this is the case, the otherwise mandatory report due 8 days prior to the election is waived. The law still requires Lawson to file a final report. The only evidence of financial activity of the Lawson campaign is a GoFundMe account that reveals $450 of a $50,000 goal was raised.

The law still requires Lawson file an initial report identifying the campaign treasurer.

In the city council races, incumbent SMD 6 Councilwoman Billie DeWitt reported $325 in donations and $2,664.19 in expenses. All of the expenses went to Q’s Printing for printing and bulk mailing postcards.

One of her two opponents, Larry Miller, raised $670 and spent $2,699.18. He loaned his campaign $2,000. Miller spent his money on signs at Q’s Printing and purchased an online ad with local TV station KIDY for $750.

The third SMD 6 candidate, James Ervin, did not submit a report. He may also fall under the modified filing rules where neither expenses or donations exceed $930.

In SMB 2, incumbent Councilman Tom Thompson received no campaign contributions but spent retained earnings from donations made in prior reporting periods on advertising. He made a $360 advertising buy with Conexion San Angelo and a $500 advertising buy with San Angelo LIVE!

One of Thompson’s two opponents, Mercedes DeLa Cruz, in a prior filing from April 1, received $350 in donations and spend $547.02. All of her campaign expenses went towards signs and postcards.

Thompson’s other challenger, Cie Avel Rangel, likely is filing under the under-$930 modified reporting rules. There are no campaign finance reports from her on file at the city.

Election Day is May 1, 2021. Early voting continues through April 27 at the Ed B. and Frances Frank Keyes Building 113 W. Beauregard Ave. 1st Floor. Here are the hours:

• April 19-23: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
• April 24: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.  
• April 25: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• April 26-27: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.  

On Election Day, Saturday, May 1, these polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.:

• Angelo Bible Church, 3506 Sherwood Way, Lobby
• Belmore Baptist Church, 1214 South Bell, Fellowship Hall
• Calvary Baptist Church, 2401 Armstrong St., Fellowship Center
• Christoval Community Center, 20022 Main, Christoval, TX 76935, Multi-Purpose Room
• Trinity Lutheran Church, 3536 Lutheran Way, Fellowship Hall
• Concho Valley Transit District (Bus Depot), 506 N. Chadbourne, Annex Building
• SAF First Assembly of God, 1442 Edmund Blvd., Fellowship Hall,
• Grape Creek ISD, 8207 US Hwy 87 N, Gene Marsh Board Room
• Keating Paint and Body, 5050 N. Chadbourne, Reception Area
• Paulann Baptist Church, 2531 Smith Blvd., The Chapel
• Southgate Church of Christ, 528 Country Club Road, Fellowship Hall
• Southside Recreation Center, 2750 Ben Ficklin Rd., Multi-Purpose Room
• St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 8602 Loop 570, Wall, TX 76957, Fellowship Hall
• MHMR Services of the Concho Valley Admin. Bldg. 1501 W. Beauregard, Jack Ray Room
• Veribest Baptist Church, 50 FM 2334, Veribest, TX 76886, Fellowship Hall
• Wesley United Trinity Methodist Church, 301 West 18th St., Fellowship Hall
• Southland Shopping Center, 5030 A Knickerbocker Rd., Unit A
• St. Mark Presbyterian Church, 2506 Johnson Ave., Fellowship Hall 

The Tom Green Elections Office reported that during early voting only 988 ballots have been cast as of the end of the day Thursday. https://sanangelolive.com/news/poli…