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AUSTIN – In nearly every financial metric, two-term Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick continues to dominate Democratic opponent Mike Collier in the lieutenant governor’s race.
Patrick has raised and spent far more than Collier, his two-time challenger, according to campaign finance reports that the Texas Ethics Commission made public Tuesday.
Between Sept. 30 and Saturday, Patrick raised nearly $3.3 million to Collier’s $712,581. Patrick spent about $5.1 million, tripling the $1.5 million spent by the Collier campaign, the reports showed.
Through the entire campaign, Patrick has spent nearly $19 million on advertising alone. Meanwhile, Collier’s campaign has dropped $2.1 million on advertising, according to AdImpact, a media tracking firm.
As of Saturday, Patrick reported having $16.5 million in cash, more than 100 times the $128,000 Collier’s campaign said it had in the bank.
Patrick, who is seeking a third term, presides over the state Senate, where he has helped social conservatives win victory after victory — including blocking further legalization of gambling in Texas.
In yet another indication that pro-gambling forces will mount a push in next year’s session to allow voters to decide whether to allow sports betting or resort-style casinos, Patrick received a $100,000 contribution from Houston Rockets owner Tillman Fertitta, whose Landry’s Inc. owns Golden Nugget casinos; and $75,000 from the Texas Sands PAC.
The group is funded by Las Vegas Sands Corp., whose majority shareholder Miriam Adelson in September gave $1 million to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is also seeking a third term in Tuesday’s election. In September, the Texas Sands PAC gave Abbott $50,000.
Patrick also received $100,000 each from Houston area car dealer John McGill and billionaire staffing magnate Jim Davis of Maryland.
Collier had far more contributions (8,536) than Patrick (693). While Patrick’s average contribution was $4,728, Collier’s was just more than $83.