Presidential, Vice Presidential Hopefuls Come Calling for Cash
New details are coming out about Donald Trump's fundraiser later this month in Texas.
The Republican presidential nominee is coming to Austin on Aug. 23 to raise money for his campaign, the Texas Tribune reported Friday. On Monday, an invitation went out to potential attendees detailing how much it will cost to get in, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said he will be there.
The invitation asks attendees to give or raise anywhere from $2,700 a person to $100,000 a couple. The invitation, a save-the-date note, does not list any hosts yet.
Patrick emailed supporters Monday evening encouraging them to join him at the fundraiser. Patrick, a former Ted Cruz backer, acknowledged Trump was not his first choice in the presidential race but said he is now "strongly supporting" Trump due to four issues: appointing conservatives to the U.S. Supreme Court, strengthening the economy, securing the border and ensuring Congress stays in GOP hands.
"I am convinced that Donald Trump is committed to making America great again and I am committed to helping him become our next President," Patrick wrote. "I hope you will join me at a reception in his honor on August 23. I know you will enjoy meeting Donald."
Trump’s not the only one on a presidential ticket to come calling for Texas dollars this month. Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Kaine has a trio of fundraisers scheduled for next week — Aug. 9 in Austin and Aug. 10 in Dallas and Fort Worth.
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Mark Montgomery, chairman of the Dallas County GOP, is resigning, he announced Tuesday evening.
Montgomery, who has been on the job for less than two months, said in a statement that he is stepping down due to "some recent changes in my personal life that will inhibit my ability to continue to serve." He plans to resign at the party's next executive meeting — Aug. 18 — where his successor will also be elected.
Montgomery, a tea party activist, won the post earlier this year in an upset victory over incumbent Wade Emmert. Just last month, the party was celebrating the one-month anniversary of Montgomery's chairmanship on social media.
Since then, Phillip Huffines, the brother of state Sen. Don Huffines, announced that he’s seeking the job of party chairman.
In an open letter to Dallas County Republicans sent out Wednesday, Huffines wrote, “We need decisive, conservative leadership in the State of Texas, and it must include a Dallas County Republican Party that is efficient, professional, and most importantly, well-funded. To achieve that, we must immediately prove to Republicans in North Texas that our party is a good investment to advance the Republican cause.”
Six state representatives from Dallas County chose to back a different contender for the job, endorsing lawyer Elizabeth Bingham.
In a letter released Thursday, the lawmakers said Bingham, the party's former vice chair, is "best prepared to immediately make a difference in helping Republican candidates win elections this November." The state representatives are Kenneth Sheets, Cindy Burkett, Rodney Anderson, Linda Koop, Jason Villalba and Angie Chen Button.
After Bingham's endorsements were announced Thursday, another state representative from Dallas County, Matt Rinaldi of Irving, said on Twitter that he is backing Huffines.
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State Rep. Stephanie Klick has been designated 2016 Victory Chair for the Tarrant County Republican Party. The job, according to a release from the party, will have Klick working “closely with local campaigns and elected officials to defend incumbents and take new ground from the Democrats.”
Klick is no stranger to campaign organizing. Prior to her tenure in the House, she served for six years as party chairwoman in Tarrant County.