Show Me the Money, Part II
July 18th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Chris Turner-Bill Zedler. District 96.Democratic challenger Chris Turner’s financial advantage over three-term Rep. Zedler came as a surprise to everyone…including himself.”[W]e fully expected the incumbent to have much more money in the bank at this point,” said Turner in a press release.In the first half of 2008, Turner bested Zedler $240,000 to $207,000. With $84,000 in contributions, Zedler is backed by a GOP money machine that includes San Antonio millionaire James Leininger and Texans for Rick Perry, who each handed over $10,000.Other supporters of the notably ideological Zedler are Bob Perry, Texans for Lawsuit Reform, Texas Builds Jobs and Opportunity for a Secure Future PAC, and Dallas investor Louis Beecherl, each adding $5,000 to the incumbent’s campaign.Zedler is also a winner with the medical community, garnering support from several health organizations and pharmaceutical companies. Still, Zedler trails opponent Turner, who raised $240,000 and maintains $170,000 on hand.Texas Values in Action Coalition contributed a generous total of $15,250, Bernard Rapoport gave a total of $15,000 and John Mostyn donated $10,000. Other notable contributors include Texans for Insurance Reform ($7,500), Judge Lydon Jr. Olson ($5,000); Frederick Baron ($5,000) and TexBlog PAC ($5,000). The Turner campaign attributes the fundraising upset to their message of change and Zedler’s shallow support base in Tarrant County.
